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  • There has been just one goal scored in the last two meetings, which includes Colchester’s 1-0 win on Thursday
  • Exeter have kept clean sheets in each of their last three home meetings with Colchester, winning to nil on two occasions
  • Both teams have scored in only two of the last six meetings between the sides

Exeter may exact their revenge

Exeter were beaten 1-0 by Colchester in the first leg of their Sky Bet League Two playoff tie but they could return the form now armed with home advantage.

The gutsy Grecians lost only one of their 18 home league games in a season that was cut short and they weren’t disgraced in defeat at Colchester, controlling large parts of the game before being let down in attacking areas.

However, Matt Taylor’s men should be sharper for that appearance and they hold the aces hosting a Colchester outfit who are inconsistent on their travels.

Exeter have kept clean sheets in each of their last three home meetings with Colchester, winning to nil on two occasions, and we are predicting another determined defensive display from Taylor’s side.

Colchester inconsistent on the road

Colchester will be delighted to be taking a lead to Devon but they don’t always perform on their travels and this tie is far from over.

Cohen Bramall’s free-kick gave the U’s a narrow 1-0 lead but it was one of just two shots on target in a game that was lacking attacking quality.

Backing that up won’t be easy. Colchester won only six of their 19 away games in the regular season and they were held to a goalless draw here in January.

That was the third time in a row Colchester had failed to make their mark at Exeter and they didn’t create enough in the first leg to suggest they can end that rut and find a breakthrough here.

As well as failing to score at Exeter, Colchester fired blanks on trips to promoted pair Plymouth and Crewe and they didn’t always have the answers against the division’s elite.

Expect another low-scoring clash

Both teams have scored in only two of the last six meetings between the sides and on the evidence of Colchester 1-0 win over Exeter on Thursday this is unlikely to be a thriller.

There were just two shots on target in the opening leg, with both sides well-organised at the back but lacking the same quality in the final third.

It was goalless when these two sides met at St James Park and we are predicting another low-scoring affair with under 2.5 goals a good bet.

However, with Exeter reliable at home and having kept clean sheets in their last three meetings with Colchester, we’re going for a 1-0 correct score prediction.


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