Exeter City vs Barnsley: Predictions, Lineups & Odds (14/12)

Two playoff contenders clash in League One this weekend as Gary Caldwell’s Exeter City side welcome Barnsley to Devon, with both sides looking to keep pace with the current top six.

Our Three Predictions For Exeter City vs Barnsley

- - - Prediction 1 – Both Teams To Score – 4/5

- - - Prediction 2 – Under 2.5 Goals Scored – 10/11

- - - Prediction 3 – Match To End In A Draw – 12/5

First Prediction For Exeter City vs Barnsley – Both Teams To Score – 4/6

Barnsley are doing well to average over a goal per game in their matches, with the number reaching 1.42 heading into this game. Exeter City however are much more lacking in their goals, averaging 0.89 across their League One games. However, at home, they hit the mark of 1 per game exactly. Both sides have players that can contribute, such as The Grecians’ Josh Magennis and Millenic Alli, as well as Barnsley’s Davis Keillor-Dunn and Stephen Humphrys. Both teams should have enough to get themselves on the board in this game.

Second Prediction For Exeter City vs Barnsley – Under 2.5 Goals Scored – 10/11

Whilst that may not be the case, their recent form and historical record over this season may hint at a low-scoring encounter. Much of Exeter’s early season exploits saw them as one of the best defensive units in League One, and their 19 goals conceded puts them joint fifth in the third tier for that stat. Across their last ten games combined, these two teams have scored eight goals, with five coming for Caldwell’s team and just three for The Tykes, two of which came in a draw against Reading.

Third Prediction For Exeter City vs Barnsley – Match To End In A Draw – 12/5

It feels like these two teams are in a rut and this game may not be the contest for them to break their bad luck just yet. Barnsley are winless in their last six, having also been dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of Bristol Rovers on penalties. It has been well over a month since their last taste of victory against South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United and with the solid defensive unit of Exeter, they might not have enough to pull clear of their opponents.

Best Odds For Exeter City vs Barnsley

Bookmaker	Exeter City	Draw	Barnsley
Betarno	19/10	23/10	21/10
Gentleman Jim	21/10	12/5	11/10
Myriadplay	41/20	49/20	107/100

Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head

It has not been plain sailing for either of these sides in the buildup to this clash. Barnsley are winless in their last five and have lost their last two matches, albeit against the standout pair of Birmingham City and Wrexham. They last won against Rotherham on November 8th, meaning it has now been over a month since The Tykes secured three points. This run of just one point in the five following league games has seen them fall behind in the race for the top six, with Stockport County, Reading and Bolton Wanderers pushing them into eighth. It is a similar story for Exeter, who also played and lost to Birmingham City in their most recent game in the EFL Trophy. They have lost and drawn in their two most recent league matches, drawing with leaders Wycombe Wanderers and tasting defeat at the hands of Stockport. They did advance into the third round of the FA Cup, beating League Two’s Chesterfield to set up a home tie against Oxford United. The pair have only recently renewed acquaintances with both sides stuck in League One and it has been tomorrow’s home team that have bested the visitors. City have three wins and one loss on the record, with the only Barnsley win coming in this exact fixture last season, a solitary goal from John McAtee sealing the win at St. James’ Park.

Confrontation

Where To Watch Exeter City vs Barnsley

Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?

- - - Location: St. James’ Park, Exeter, Devon

- - - Date: December 14th, 2024

This game is not available to watch in the UK with kick-off at 3 pm.

Probable Lineups For Exeter City vs Barnsley

What sort of lineup can we expect from this important League One clash?

Predicted Exeter City Lineup

- - - Lineup: Whitworth; Crama, Sweeney, Purrington; Niskanen, Woods, Francis, Wildschut; Watts; Magennis, Alli

- - - Injured/Suspended: Cole, Mitchell, Jones

- - - Manager: Gary Caldwell

Predicted Barnsley Lineup

- - - Lineup: Killip; Roberts, Pines, McCarthy; O’Keefe, Connell, Nwakali, Gent, Russell; Keillor-Dunn, Cosgrove

- - - Injured/Suspended: Roberts, Jalo, Earl, Humphrys; Phillips

- - - Manager: Darrell Clarke

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