Fresh from their Wembley triumph in the Papa Johns Trophy, Wanderers turn their attention back to a play-off challenge in League One as they kick off the Easter weekend at Exeter.
The Whites head to St James’ Park for their first league game in three weeks sitting fifth in the table with a game in hand on the four sides immediately below them.
Exeter have attracted a sold-out home crowd for the Good Friday game as they look to continue a decent run which has lifted them to 11th place and given them a chance of a best league finish in 12 years.
Manager quotes:
Ian Evatt: “We were almost in a false position for a while because we’d played three or four games more than everybody else.
“We’re now the ones with the game in hand and we’re still sitting where we were. As much as the gap has tightened, we’re still in a very strong position. We’ve just got to make sure we finish the season strongly.
“Exeter have been in red-hot form themselves and are good at home. We just need to try and focus on our own performance and the same process we go through every week.
“If we can get to the level we did last Sunday then we’re going to be a tough team to stop. But that’s down to us and no one else.”
Exeter City assistant manager Kevin Nicholson: “They’re a really good team with very good players.
“On Sunday, everything that could have gone right for them went right and it was a shock to Plymouth's system.
“So, from our point of view it's very similar to the Barnsley game in terms of we're facing another side who are fighting for promotion.
“They're a big club with a massive fanbase and it'll be an incredible atmosphere, so what we have to do is go about our business as individuals and as units in a team to ensure we are difficult to break down.”
Team news:
Wanderers will have forwards Victor Adeboyejo, Shola Shoretire and Daniel N’Lundulu available after the trio were cup-tied for the Trophy final.
However, defender Eoin Toal is ruled out with the ankle injury he suffered minutes from the end of the Wembley win and joins Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Jack Iredale and Lloyd Isgrove on the sidelines.
Exeter are expected to be without on-loan Fulham striker Jay Stansfield after he was injured in City’s 2-2 draw at Fleetwood last weekend.
Defender Jake Caprice is set to return to the City squad after missing their last four games through injury.
Form guide:
Wanderers head to the south-west on the back of a 4-0 Wembley in the Papa Johns Trophy final.
The Whites were also unbeaten in their previous two away games, drawing at Sheffield Wednesday and Morecambe and will be seeking a seventh away win of the season at St James’ Park.
Exeter have lost one of their last seven games to climb into the top half of the table.
Gary Caldwell’s side – beaten 2-0 at the University of Bolton Stadium a week before Christmas – have won their last four home games, including a 3-1 win over promotion-chasing Barnsley at St James' Park last time out.
Officials:
Referee: Craig Hicks
Assistant referees: Richard Morris, Samuel Ogles
Fourth Official: James Vallance
Kick-off:
Friday 3pm
Coverage:
Friday’s game will be available to watch via a live feed on BWFC iFollow with a £10 video match pass which can be purchased HERE