Northampton Town host Exeter City at Sixfields on Saturday, as Kevin Nolan looks to pick up his first win of the season. This article will look at how the sides could lineup, and who I think has the best chance of winning on Saturday.
Head-to-Head:
Since 2012, Exter have just 4 wins against The Cobblers, with 4 draws and 12 wins for The Shoe Army. Northampton Town vs Exeter City – live score, predicted lineups and H2H stats
The most memorable meeting between the two sides came at Wembley in June 2020, as The Cobblers won promotion from League two via a 4-0 win over Exeter in the play-off final. A certain Sam Hoskins was on the scoresheet for Northampton Town, as they lifted the trophy behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions.
The last meeting between the 2 sides ended in a 1-1 draw on the 1st of March 2025. Reece Cole equalized late for The Grecians following a first half goal from Dara Costelloe at St James’ Park.
Northampton Town
The Cobblers are still without a win this season, without a goal in their last 4 games. Many Cobblers fans will begin to get worried regarding the fate of the club this season, with a relegation battle seeming the most likely outcome.
However, there are definitely positives to take from some of the performances so far. The Cobblers will feel unlucky to have lost against Lincoln on Tuesday, having dominated the game from around the 30th minute. Applying pressure throughout, The Cobblers caused problems but couldn’t convert pressure into goals as Cameron McGeehan and Tyrese Fornah both missed good chances for the Town.
The Cobblers seemed to struggle at the back for the first part of the game, with Jack Burroughs in particular struggling in the Right Wing-Back role. Personally, I would like to see Nolan implement a 4-at-the-back system, but this may be difficult with the absence of Jon Guthrie.
The choosing of center-backs in the 4-back system may be difficult, with a lack of height and physicality available for Nolan, but I feel a partnership of Max Dyche and Michael Forbes could be something for Nolan to work with, allowing Jack Burroughs to play his preferred Full-back role rather than acting as a wing-back.
The injury update has been relatively positive for The Cobblers though, as Tom Eaves featured on Tuesday night, whilst Nesta Guinness-Walker and Terry Taylor both started.
Whilst there are no new injury concerns for The Cobblers, Nolan says it is still unlikely that Jordan Thorniley, Kamarai Swyer or Michael Jacobs will be available for Saturday, despite not being far off returning.
Injured trio ‘not far off’ returning for Cobblers
It was clear that The Cobblers lacked goal threat, which seemed to be left on the bench with Sam Hoskins, Elliott List and Tom Eaves all taking place on the bench on Tuesday. Whilst Nolan may still need to manage the minutes of recently returning Eaves, I feel Hoskins and List must start for The Cobblers to cause any real danger in the Exeter box.
Possible lineup:
Lee Burge (GK), Jack Burroughs, Max Dyche, Michael Forbes, Nesta Guinness-Walker, Terry Taylor, Dean Campbell, Tyrese Fornah, Cameron McGeehan, Sam Hoskins, Elliott List, Ethan Wheatley.
Exeter City:
The Grecians will be looking to build on their second league win of the season following a 1-0 win over Wycombe at Adams Park on Tuesday night. City took the lead in the 83rd minute following a Jack Grimmer own goal.
However, much like The Cobblers’ game on Tuesday, it was the losing side that applied the pressure and controlled the game. Wycombe ended with 63% possession and an expected goals (Xg) of 1.60. Wycombe Wanderers vs Exeter City – live score, predicted lineups and H2H stats
Much of this was down to the brilliant performance of second year loanee Joe Whitworth, who made 8 saves and had a prevented goals of 2.01 come full-time. Whitworth enjoyed his first year of Senior football at SJP last season, making 51 appearances and keeping 16 clean sheets.
Exeter’s other win came in a dominant 4-1 win over Blackpool in Game-week 2. Despite not controlling the game completely Exeter thrived on set pieces and counter attacks to defeat The Tangerines, which could cause problems for a Cobblers side who seem weak and unimposing defensively.
Gary Caldwell, who has been in charge of the Devon based side since 2022, confirmed in the week that Sil Swinkels has undergone a scan for a knee injury sustained against Wycombe, which points to him being out for Saturday’s clash.
With Johnly Yfeko and Pierce Sweeney already injured for City, their centre back options remain a little light heading into Saturday’s game, it may be a tough choice for Caldwell. Wing-back Ryan Rydell came on in place of Swinkels as City had no recognized centre back on the bench.
However, young defender Luca Woodhouse could be handed his first League start for City after joining from Wycombe Wanderers on a free. Woodhouse was on loan with Dagenham and Redbridge until January last season, when he went to Altrincham on loan to finish the campaign.
Reece Cole has also missed the last 2 games for City with an illness, and it unconfirmed whether he will be available or not for the Grecians.
The Grecians players and coaches have been honest in admitting that they can play better than they did on Tuesday and will be looking to back up those claims with high intensity and quality at Sixfields.
Possible Lineup:
Joe Whitworth (GK), Tom Dean, Ed Turns, Jack Fitzwater, Luca Woodhouse, Jack McMillan, Ethan Brierly, Ed Francis, Ilmari Niskanen, Sonny Cox, Jayden Wareham.
My Prediction
Whilst Exeter are clearly favorites for this game, and I’d struggle to put money against them, a change in system by Kevin Nolan could definitely allow for a good contest in NN5. I’m going with a close game, edged out by Northampton.
Northampton Town 2-1 Exeter City
List Magennis
Campbell
