Exeter City vs Portsmouth Match Analysis and Prediction

3 years ago 506

Portsmouth travel to face Exeter City in the last 32 of the EFL Trophy on Friday evening having both recently returned to action after spells of inactivity.

Exeter are currently sitting just outside of the League Two playoffs, while Portsmouth are down in eighth position in League one.

Matt Taylor’s side were also reliant on a final-game result, a 5-3 victory over Bristol Rovers backing up draws in their previous matches to earn top spot ahead of Chelsea U21.

However, Exeter have prevailed in just one of their last eight matches in all competitions, a run which has seen the club drop outside of the League Two playoffs and eliminated from the FA Cup.

Portsmouth have had to spend a frustrating period on the sidelines over the Christmas period like many clubs in the EFL, Danny Cowley’s side going as many as 23 days without a game.

There have been four successive defeats recorded before Tuesday’s trip to leaders Forest Green Rovers, but Exeter are the side who came away from the match frustrated that they had only collected a point from a goalless draw.

While the result does not contribute to their promotion bid in the short term, Matt Taylor was delighted with a performance which came off the back of a tough run of opponents in the fourth tier.

They would have expected to get back to action with all three points against Cambridge United, but a goalless draw on the draw was satisfactory given the circumstsnces.

In addition to extending their unbeaten run in League One to 10 matches, Portsmouth have also kept five successive clean sheet in the third division.

Despite winning just one of their three group games, Cowley’s side progressed through to the last 32, by a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace U21 in their final fixture.

Exeter City vs Portsmouth head to head

The two teams have previously met on 10 occasions in all competitions, where Exeter have taken 3 victories while Portsmouth have won 4, and they have drawn in 3. Both teams have scored 12 goals each. Their last encounter was in the EFL Trophy where Portsmouth won 3-2 at home.

Portsmouth 1-2 Exeter City 29/09/15

Exeter City 1-1 Portsmouth 01/03/16

Exeter City 0-1 Portsmouth 27/08/16

Portsmouth 0-1 Exeter City 28/01/17

Portsmouth 3-2 Exeter City 18/02/20

Exeter City latest home form

Exeter City have been on a good form at home in the long term. However, they have recently lost in their last two matches to Northampton Town and Tranmere Rovers. They have won three of their last five matches, including a 2-1 victory over Bradford City in the FA Cup competition.

Exeter City 2-1 Oldham Athletic 13/11/21

Exeter City 2-1 Carlisle United 20/11/21

Exeter City 2-1 Bradford City 30/11/21

Exeter City 1-2 Northampton Town 07/12/21

Exeter City 0-1 Tranmerer Rovers 11/12/21

Exeter City latest away form

Exeter have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, as they have not recorded any victory in their last six away matches, drawing three and losing three. They drew 0-0 with league leaders Forest Green Rovers in their last away league match on January 4.

Colchester United 3-1 Exeter City 23/11/21

Rochdale 1-1 Exeter City 27/11/21

Cambridge United 2-1 Exeter City 04/12/21

Sutton United 2-1 Exeter City 01/01/22

Forest Green Rovers 0-0 Exeter City 04/01/22

Portsmouth latest home form

Portsmouth lost 2-1 to Harrogate Town on December 4 in the FA Cup competition. However, they have been on a good run of form at home, having lost just once in their last eight matches. In their last five home games, they have won three, drawn one and lost one.

Portsmouth 3-0 Crystal Palace U21 09/11/21

Portsmouth 2-1 AFC Wimbledon 20/11/21

Portsmouth 1-2 Harrogate Town 04/12/21

Portsmouth 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday 07/12/21

Portsmouth 2-0 Morecambe 11/12/21

Portsmouth latest away form

Portsmouth have been on a good run of form on the road, having not lost in any of their last five away matches. Their last defeat came on October 16 when they lost 4-1 to Rotherham United. In their last five, they have won three and drawn two in the process.

Accrington Stanley 2-2 Portsmouth 23/10/21

Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Portsmouth 13/11/21

Lincoln City 0-3 Portsmouth 23/11/21

Gillingham 0-1 Portsmouth 27/11/21

Cambridge United 0-0 Portsmouth 03/01/22

Exeter City news

Taylor is likely to make several changes to his side, with Kyle Taylor, Ben Seymour and Sam Stubbs all expected to be involved after their substitute outings in midweek, while goalkeeper Scott Brown may get a chance between the sticks. Cheick Diabate is likely to drop down to the sustitutes’ bench.

Portsmouth news

Despite the squad having an extra day of recovery, Cowley would want to give time to many of the players who featured among the replacements last time out.

Paul Downing, John Marquis, Ellis Harrison, Lee Brown, Michael Jacobs, Alex Bass and Miguel Azeez are all likely to get a chance in the starting XI.

Prediction and Odds

Exeter will enter the contest off the back of an impressive away performance against Forest Green Rovers in midweek, which could give them confidence here.

However, with several changes in the squad, they are likely not going to be as impressive, which will give Portsmouth a good chance to overcome them.

Odds: 1 2.75 X 3.05 2 2.21