FOOTBALL – Colchester v Exeter
18 June 17:15hrs
Football – England –League 2
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 12/5 odds taken at 14:00 GMT, Tuesday 16 June
Table of Contents
Colchester are probably one of the surprise packages in the League 2 play-offs this year – but have the repercussions of the curtailed season severely hampered their chances of promotion?
Colchester Preview – Us hoping cup run experience will stand them in good stead
Colchester United reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup before the turn of the year and will be hoping that victories of Crystal Palace and Tottenham will inspire them in their two-legged play-off semi-final against Exeter.
John McGreal’s plans have been boosted by the availability of on-loan Southend striker Theo Robinson with out-of-contract captain Luke Prosser, leading striker Frank Nouble and Ryan Jackson also declaring themselves ready for action.
McGreal, therefore, has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the clash at the JobServe Community Stadium, though how much home advantage will count for in the play-off must be debatable with no fans..
United finished sixth in the final league table, one place behind Exeter but seven points adrift. They ended the regular season with three wins and three defeats so you can’t really tell what you are going to get with the U’s with a three-month break not making predictions any easier.
Teenager Kwame Poku could be a key player for the Essex side having scored five goals from midfield this season. He would be a nice option from the bench if the manager decided not to risk him from the start.
Exeter Preview – Grecians looking to earn their spurs
Exeter’s collapse in from in March has probably cost them automatic promotion so they have a point to prove in the play-offs.
Manager Matt Taylor was praying that final Covid-19 tests wouldn’t upset team plans with his 20-man squad expected to travel to Colchester on their own on a coach with support staff travelling separately.
City’s experienced midfielder Nicky Law is hoping to make it third-time lucky in a play-off campaign having lost out while with Rangers in Scotland and at Bradford City. Randell Williams has the key players for City this season, however, having played in a variety of positions down the right side.
The Grecians have already come within seconds of reaching Wembley this season in the EFL Trophy, though ultimately the final of that tournament didn’t take place. City haven’t won an away game since February but it is possible that the break has given them time to collect their thoughts.
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Trends – Colchester vs Exeter Betting Tips
- Colchester have not drawn any of their last seven matches
- Exeter are without a win in five
- Colchester have not won any of their last five matches against Exeter
- Colchester have not lost a home match against Exeter in 11 years
Both matches between these teams in the regular season ended as draws.
Colchester have not lost a home match against Exeter in more than 10 years but there has been a little unrest in the camp since the season was ended and it remains to be seen what frame of mind they are in. Exeter should have enough to avoid defeat.
