MX23RW : Monday, December 23 02:15:44| >> :600:236808:236808:
[monks data]
Exeter City
League One | Gameweek 46
May 7, 2023 at 12pm UK
St James Park
Morecambe

Exeter
3 - 2
Morecambe

Stansfield (49', 57', 70')
Borges (73'), Sweeney (77'), Kite (83'), Caprice (90+5')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Stockton (53', 90+14')
Weir (79'), Major (81'), Hunter (90+6')

Preview: Exeter City vs. Morecambe - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's League One clash between Exeter City and Morecambe, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Morecambe will be hoping to escape the relegation zone when they travel to St James Park to take on Exeter City this Sunday afternoon.

On the final day of the League One season, the Shrimps will in all likelihood need to better MK Dons' result to move up to 20th place, while the Grecians have little to play for, currently sitting in 15th place.


Match preview

Gary Caldwell in charge of Wigan Athletic in July 2016© Reuters

Exeter have acquired 53 points from 45 games this season, meaning they are comfortably clear of the bottom four, but they have been unable to challenge near the top end of the League One table.

The Grecians are currently level on points with both Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town, while they are two points behind Burton Albion, meaning they can finish as low as 17th and as high as 13th depending on their result on Sunday.

Gary Caldwell's side looked to be in a strong position to secure a top-half finish at the very least, but their form has dipped considerably in recent weeks, losing their last six League One matches.

That said, the fixture list has not been kind, as they have taken on six of the current top seven during that time, although that is no excuse to lose 6-0, as they did against Ipswich Town last time out.

Although the game ultimately counts for very little, the Grecians will be eager to sign off on a positive note at St James Park, but they may have their work cut out against a side fighting for their lives.

Morecambe's Anthony O'Connor celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 9, 2022© Reuters

Indeed, Morecambe are desperately trying to retain their League One status, and their form has improved considerably in recent weeks, winning their last three matches to give themselves a fighting chance of staying up.

The Shrimps will commence proceedings in 21st place, behind MK Dons on goal difference, and they will need to better the Dons' result if they are to stay up, unless there is an eight-goal swing, which is very unlikely.

There is still a decent chance that Derek Adams's side manage to stay up, given that MK Dons travel to a Burton Albion side that have been very solid in the second half of the season, picking up 33 points in their last 20 games, the seventh-highest amount in the third tier.

That said, Morecambe's main focus needs to be on their own game, and they have put a fantastic run of form together of late, most recently defeating Lincoln City 3-2 at the Mazuma Stadium.

Cole Stockton fired home a brace to secure victory against the Imps, with the striker rediscovering his form at a very good time, scoring five goals in his last three games.

Exeter City League One form:

Morecambe League One form:


Team News

Bradford City manager Derek Adams pictured on August 11, 2021© Reuters

Exeter striker Sam Nombe has missed the last three games with injury, meaning Josh Key should continue to lead the line, and he could be joined by 18-year-old Sonny Cox, who has managed to force his way into first-team contention in recent weeks.

Caldwell may choose to make a few changes given the thrashing at Ipswich last time out, with Jay Stansfield replacing Pedro Borges on the right of midfield and Jack Sparkes coming in for Demetri Mitchell on the opposite side.

Alex Hartridge picked up a knock which meant he had to be withdrawn in the first half in the last match, meaning Jonathan Grounds could instead get the nod at centre-back.

As for Morecambe, Adams is unlikely to tinker too much with a winning formula, although Ashley Hunter could come in for Dan Crowley, having assisted the winning goal as a substitute against Lincoln last weekend.

Oumar Niasse scored his first goal for the club against the Imps, but he is likely to be utilised as a substitute if Morecambe are chasing the game, with Stockton keeping his place at striker.

Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Woods; Sweeney, Aimson, Grounds, Caprice; Stansfield, Kite, Chauke, Sparkes; Key, Cox

Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Ripley; Cooney, Rawson, Bedeau, Melbourne; Austerfield, Gibson, Weir, Hunter, Gnahoua; Stockton


SM words green background

We say: Exeter City 1-2 Morecambe

Morecambe have shown they have what it takes to stay up with their performances in recent weeks, winning their last three games on the spin, and we expect them to move out of the relegation zone on the final day.

Exeter have been out of sorts lately, and the game means far more to the visitors, who are likely to come away with a victory by a narrow margin.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


ID:513199:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11232:
Written by
Dominic Lund

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Exeter vs Morecambe

Exeter City
16.7%
Draw
16.7%
Morecambe
66.7%
6
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Plymouth Argyle's Macaulay Gillesphey celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 5, 2022
Read Next:
This weekend's League One permutations: Two promotions, two relegations could be confirmed
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe20135243222144
2Birmingham CityBirmingham18133234161842
3Wrexham21126331141742
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield20123534181639
5Stockport CountyStockport21106534221236
6Lincoln CityLincoln218762825331
7Reading209473030031
8Bolton WanderersBolton199462829-131
9Barnsley218672930-130
10Mansfield TownMansfield198472322128
11Charlton AthleticCharlton207672319427
12Blackpool207672931-227
13Exeter CityExeter208391922-327
14Stevenage197571517-226
15Leyton Orient207492320325
16Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2073103837124
17Wigan AthleticWigan206681918124
18Rotherham UnitedRotherham196581921-223
19Bristol Rovers2064101829-1122
20Northampton TownNorthampton2156102134-1321
21Crawley TownCrawley1954102032-1219
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge2045112035-1517
23Burton Albion2026121732-1512
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2033142141-2012


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!