Exeter City's Remaining Key Matches Previewed
Exeter City are now midway through the 2025/26 League One season, and there's definitely still a lot to play for. At a nervous 14th in the table, the Grecians could find themselves looking up or down the league standings depending on results in the next few matches. After the recent 10-1 mauling at the hands of Premier League titans Manchester City in the FA Cup, manager Gary Caldwell will be looking to return to the defensive stability that has kept the team middle of the pack throughout the league season so far.
At odds of around 100/1 to 250/1 to get promoted and 10/3 for relegation at most bookmakers, the best Exeter can realistically hope for is to cement a mid-table finish. The Grecians sit six points clear of Rotherham United in the relegation places and nine points behind Bolton Wanderers in sixth place and the final playoff spot. So, what key fixtures can fans look at as pivotal moments for the rest of the season?
Starting the New Year with Matches that Could Set the Tone
Although match odds are not yet available for that far ahead in the season at many bookmakers, the available matches generally paint Exeter as a slight favourite at home and an underdog away. That is reflected in their strong home form over the last 10 games, with 6 wins and 3 losses, compared to their away record of 2 wins and 6 losses. Oddspedia provides a list of bookmakers offering free bets, along with the latest odds for Exeter City’s remaining matches. This makes it easy to compare markets and see how the team is priced across different platforms, giving extra context on how the season could unfold.
Exeter currently have a better goal difference than most clubs at the bottom of the league, due to a solid defence that is statistically in the top half. However, scoring has not been as high as most of the teams around them.
The recent injury to top-scorer Jayden Wareham will be of some concern, though, as the team searches for goals. The next two home matches will be crucial to see how a previously solidly defensive team bounces back from being humbled by an elite competitor in the FA Cup.
The upcoming fixture against Port Vale and Rotherham on the 24th and 31st of January, respectively, will thus be critical to how the rest of the Grecians' season shapes up. An away trip to bottom-of-the-league Port Vale is a true test of how much further ahead of the relegation pack Exeter are, and they should be expected to win against The Vale despite shaky away form.
While a loss wouldn't change the league standings dramatically, it would shape a nervous final third of the season for Exeter fans. The match against Rotherham could be more critical, with The Millers having a lot to play for at just three points clear from safety.
Mid-Season Tests Depend on Form and Position
Going into February and March, Exeter have a run of fixtures against top table teams that could define the season. While unlikely to get much out of hosting top-of-the-table Cardiff in March, a solid return to defensive stability could always see them steal the points against high-flying Luton a week later.
More likely, if January's matches go well, the Grecians could be eyeing their February home matches against Bolton and Wycombe as a route to solidifying a top-half finish before facing off against the league leaders.
However, if January saw losses to some lower-table teams, then it could be the February games against potential relegation strugglers Northampton and Burton Albion that prove decisive.
During mid-season, a lot will depend on squad depth. Being quite a one-sided defensive team in comparison to those around them, any injuries to defensive regulars could cost them some stability. If top striker Wareham can return to fitness, that will be crucial, and so will be the longevity of players like Ed Turns, Johnny Yfeko and Danny Andrew.
Relegation Rivals or Mid-Table Tussles - The Final Weeks
The most important of April's final weeks of the season for Exeter will likely be the away games against Blackpool and local rivals Plymouth. In the final stages, Exeter's remaining home games, two out of three are against teams likely to be ahead of them in the standings.
Plymouth and Blackpool will probably be around similar mid-table positions come the end of the season. So if the Grecians need to rely on their shaky away form to keep them safe, and against teams of a similar level, then it could be a nervy finish.
The home game against relegation contenders Doncaster on April 6 could also be decisive, as if Exeter lose that match, it's likely their season has not been going well. All in all, the end of January matches against Port Vale and Rotherham will probably decide a lot about how fans feel going into the final two months of the season, as looking down at relegation or feeling comfortably mid-table.
