Exeter v Colchester betting preview, free tip, team news & TV details

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Exeter v Colchester in the Sky Bet League Two playoffs semi-final second leg on Monday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 5.15pm Monday

Best bet

One or both teams not to score
1pt 20-23 BoyleSports

Team news

Exeter
Lee Martin is out after picking up an injury in the opening leg and striker Nicky Ajose must be assessed.

Colchester
The opening leg came too soon for Callum Harriott but he is expected to play some part in Devon.

Match preview

The opening game of the Sky Bet League Two playoffs between Exeter and Colchester was short on entertainment and the return leg in an empty St James Park could also be lacking in excitement.

Cohen Bramall's 81st-minute free kick handed Colchester a 1-0 lead to defend in Devon but it was one of just two shots on target in a match that was a let-down in the final third.

Exeter boss Matt Taylor said afterwards: "It was probably a game a little bit short of quality in attacking areas, but these are two honest teams and two very well-organised teams defensively."

Taylor is on the money with his assessment and the quick four-day turnaround, with the tie still hanging in the balance, may see the teams cancel one another out again.

It was 0-0 when the two sides locked horns at St James Park in January and on Thursday's evidence this could be similarly low-scoring.

Exeter, who lost only one of their 18 home league games in a season that was cut short, may fancy their chances of reversing the form but they didn't show enough to suggest they represent value.

Star man Randell Williams was kept quiet by opposing full-back Bramall, while it was a similar story for top scorer Ryan Bowman, who has netted just three times in his last 13 appearances.

The Grecians may come on plenty for the spin but they will need to and backing a shortage of goals looks a much safer bet.

There have been three or fewer goals in 11 of Exeter's 18 home league games this season, with one or both teams failing to score in nine of those contests.

However, under 2.5 goals has not escaped the attention of the layers at 8-13, so punters can get some extra bang for their buck by backing one or both teams not to score.

Key stat

Colchester have failed to score on their last three trips to St James Park.

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