Latics welcome Exeter City to Boundary Park for a rearranged Sky Bet League Two fixture (7pm KO).
Last time out, Keith Curle’s men played well and were unlucky to have to settle for a share of the points against Bradford City.
Form Guide
Promotion hopefuls Exeter City currently find themselves just outside of the top seven after losing their last two.
The Grecians will be hoping that these two defeats are just a blip as they had lost just one of their eight previous encounters.
A place in the playoffs is in Exeter’s own hands as they have at least one game in hand on each of the sides above them in the table.
The Grecians’ last six:
- Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Exeter City
- Exeter City 0-1 Cheltenham Town
- Scunthorpe United 0-2 Exeter City
- Exeter City 4-0 Leyton Orient
- Exeter City 0-0 Walsall
- Crawley Town 2-0 Exeter City
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 32
Latics wins: 10
Exeter wins: 14
Draws: 8
Scored: 44
Conceded: 53
- Home record vs. Exeter: P15 W6 D6 L3 - Scored 25 Conceded 17
- Latics haven't beaten Exeter at home since 2009, with it being W0 D3 L1 since then (two goalless draws, a 3-3 draw (after taking a 3-0 lead in 2010) and a 2-3 defeat in Dec 2018).
- Both sides are two of the highest scoring teams in the division, but three of the last six encounters at Boundary Park have been goalless.
When the clubs met at St. James’ Park earlier on in the season it was Latics who won all three points.
They had to do it the hard way as they fell behind to a 12th minute goal from Randall Williams but the turnaround was complete within 20 minutes of going behind.
George Blackwood and Danny Rowe scored the goals that saw Oldham claim a very impressive 2-1 win down south.
The result was especially impressive as it ended a 13-match unbeaten run that Exeter were on at the time.
Team News
It looks like Zak Dearnley, George Blackwood and Marcus Barnes are out of action for an extended period with injuries.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is still battling a recent knock with both Ben Garrity and Sido Jombati working hard to regain fitness and get back in the matchday squad, whilst goalkeeper Ian Lawlor is out injured for what looks like the remainder of the season.
Dylan Bahamboula is now on international duty with Congo and will return at the start of April.
Watch Out For
Matt Jay is the fourth top scorer in the division and Latics will have to be wary of the forward.
In 32 League Two appearances, Jay has an impressive record of 15 goals and five assists.
The 25-year-old came through the youth ranks at Exeter City but had to earn his stripes out on loan before playing a big role at this parent club.
Jay had loan spells with Weston-super-Mare, Hayes and Yeading United and Truro City
His first goal for Exeter came in August 2016 against Oxford City in the EFL Trophy but his first league goal didn’t come until the back end of the season.
This is by far the forward’s most fruitful season in the game and he will no doubt be hoping to keep up his fine form.
In The Dugout
Matt Taylor is the man in the visitor’s dugout.
Taylor was given his first job in management in June 2018 replacing the long serving Paul Tisdale at St James’ Park. In his first season, the Grecians’ missed out on a place in the top seven by just one point.
The 38-year-old made over 150 appearances as a player for Exeter and captained the club on the pitch. As well as playing for Exeter, Taylor also played for: Charlton Athletic, Bradford City, Colchester United, Cheltenham Town, Newport County and Bath City.
Match Officials
The referee in charge is Sam Purkiss.
He has taken charge of 25 games in this campaign handing out 59 bookings and eight red cards.
The last fixture he officiated involving Latics was in November 2020 as we beat Hampton & Richmond Borough 3-2 away in the FA Cup and he showed a red card to an opposition player that day.
His assistants are Paul Stonier and Steven Rushton with Scott Oldham as the Fourth Official.
Sky Bet Odds
Exeter City are 4/5 favourites to give their playoff chances a boost at Boundary Park whilst Latics are 29/10 to complete an impressive double over the Grecians.
A repeat of Oldham’s 2-1 success from earlier on in the campaign is 11/1.
Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org
How To Follow The Game
Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown talk you through the action.
This match is available as a live stream for the fee of £10 by clicking here.
In the current environment, there is a greater dependence on match streaming than ever before.
As a result iFollow generates one of the only revenue streams available to clubs through these financial challenges.
Piracy - and illegal streaming of matches - does not only carry the risk of potential criminal action, but also has a greater financial impact on clubs while supporters are unable to attend matches.
The EFL's campaign would like to not only convey the message that piracy is immoral and illegal, but that it is also financially damaging club's across the divisions.
For more information on the campaign and iFollow, click here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.
Oldham Athletic would like to make it clear that all fixtures are still strictly-behind-closed doors with spectators not being allowed entry.
Extensive guidelines are in place for the safety of officials and players whilst the events are taking place.
It is important you do not travel or attempt to visit Boundary Park on the day, especially with the lockdown restrictions in place.