Exeter City will clash with Wycombe Wanderers at St James Park in the FA Cup’s second round on Saturday. Exeter seeks to end a winless streak of three games across all competitions. In contrast, Wycombe recently faced a setback, losing their EFL Trophy match to Northampton Town, breaking a 12-game unbeaten run.
Match Preview
Exeter City secured their spot in the FA Cup second round with a 2-0 win against Halifax Town in October. Jayden Wareham and Danny Andrew scored for Exeter in that match. However, the Grecians have struggled recently, winning only one of their last five matches and sitting precariously above the relegation zone in League One.
Exeter City’s Challenges
- Current League Position: One point above relegation zone
- Goals Scored: 16 goals in 17 games, the joint-second worst in the league
- Recent Performance: Defeated 4-0 by Luton Town in the EFL Trophy
Manager Gary Caldwell acknowledged his team’s need for improvement, stating they were “outplayed in every department.” Off the pitch, Exeter is also facing serious financial difficulties that could impact their performance moving forward.
Wycombe Wanderers Overview
Wycombe Wanderers find themselves just four points off the playoff spots in League One. Their impressive FA Cup run includes a victory over Plymouth Argyle, winning 2-0 in the first round. Under manager Michael Duff, the team has only lost two of 16 matches since his appointment in September.
Recent Form
- Wycombe’s Last Five Matches: W W D W D L
- FA Cup Form: W
- Recent Setback: Lost 2-0 to Northampton in the EFL Trophy
Despite their recent loss, Wycombe is expected to be strong contenders in this upcoming match. However, they have not secured a victory at St James Park since 2015, which adds an interesting dynamic to this clash.
Team News
Exeter City will be without several key players, including defender Ryan Rydel, winger Carlos Mendes Gomes, and forward Sonny Cox due to injuries. Midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes, who recently returned from an ankle injury, is likely to start against Wycombe. Striker Jayden Wareham will lead the attack, having scored seven goals in 22 games this season.
Expected Lineups
| Exeter City | Wycombe Wanderers |
|---|---|
| Whitworth | Norris |
| Sweeney | Grimmer |
| Turns | Taylor |
| Fitzwater | Hagelskjaer |
| Niskanen | Harvie |
| Brierley | Boyd-Munce |
| Doyle-Hayes | Westergaard |
| McMillan | Onyedinma |
| Aitchison | Mullins |
| Higgins | Bell |
| Wareham | Woodrow |
Wycombe Wanderers may welcome back goalkeeper Will Norris, who has been sidelined with illness. Midfielder Luke Leahy recently returned from suspension, while Ewan Henderson is expected to miss the match due to a toe injury.
Match Prediction
Considering their recent performances, Wycombe may have the upper hand in this fixture. Given Exeter’s ongoing struggles, a predicted scoreline of Exeter City 0-2 Wycombe Wanderers seems plausible as the visitors aim to regain their winning form.
