Exeter City will be bidding to make it back-to-back wins at the start of their 2024-25 League One campaign when they head to Northampton Town on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors opened their league season with a 1-0 victory over Rotherham United, while Northampton's campaign started with a 2-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.
Match preview
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Northampton finished 14th in League One last season following promotion from League Two, making it back-to-back campaigns at this level for the first time since 2009.
The Cobblers will again be looking to stay clear of the relegation zone in 2024-25, but they made a losing start to their new campaign, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers last weekend.
Jon Brady's side were also in action on Tuesday night, this time in the EFL Cup, and they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers to exit the competition.
Northampton have been busy this summer in terms of new signings, with 10 new players arriving to boost the squad, while there have also been a whole host of first-team departures, so there is a fresh look to the squad this term.
The Cobblers suffered a 2-1 defeat to Exeter in the corresponding game between the two sides last season, but they actually beat the Grecians 2-0 at St James Park.
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Exeter were 13th in League One last season, picking up just one more point than Northampton, and they are playing at this level for the third campaign in a row.
Gary Caldwell's side made the perfect start to their 2024-25 campaign last weekend, recording a 1-0 victory over Rotherham courtesy of a 71st-minute goal from Caleb Watts.
Exeter were then in EFL Cup action on Tuesday night, drawing 1-1 with Walsall before losing on penalties, so their time in this season's tournament is also already over.
The league will be the priority for the club this term, and a successful pre-season in terms of results would have left the team in a confident mood.
The Grecians have also had a busy summer in terms of incomings and outgoings, with their standout addition proving to be midfielder Ryan Woods on a free transfer.
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Team News
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Northampton boss Brady is expected to keep faith with the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Bristol Rovers in the league last weekend.
There were changes for the EFL Cup fixture against Wycombe, but a number of squad players failed to make an impression in the two-goal defeat.
Sam Hoskins scored 15 league goals during an impressive 2023-24 campaign for Northampton, and the 31-year-old will again lead their line in this match.
As for Exeter, head coach Caldwell will find it difficult to leave Watts out of the side following his goal against Rotherham, so the midfielder is expected to be introduced into the league XI for this contest.
Millenic Alli scored against Walsall in the EFL Cup last time out, but Josh Magennis is expected to come back into the side for this match.
Jack Aitchison was also among those to drop out of the side for the cup fixture, but the 24-year-old is set to return to the XI on Saturday afternoon.
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Burge; McGowan, Willis, Guthrie, Koiki; Fox, Hondermarck; Pinnock, McGeehan; Morton, Hoskins
Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Whitworth; Sweeney, Crama, Yfeko; Niskanen, McMillan, Francis, Watts; Aitchison, Magennis, Cole
We say: Northampton Town 1-1 Exeter City
There has only been one draw in the last seven league meetings between these two sides, and both teams won the away fixture during the 2023-24 campaign. It would not be a surprise to see a home or an away success here, but we just have a feeling that the points will be shared in a low-scoring draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
