Match context and recent form
Exeter City welcome Stevenage to St James Park in what promises to be a compact, competitive League One clash on 17/01/2026. Referee Martin Woods will take charge in Exeter, a side sitting 14th with 30 points after 24 matches and a mixed run of results that includes a heavy FA Cup exit (a 10-1 loss to Manchester City) but also a string of narrow league wins away from home. Exeter’s league ledger shows 9 wins, 3 draws and 12 defeats, with a notable split between home and away performances: 17 goals scored at St James Park against 8 conceded, while their away record is less kind. Their last ten fixtures paint a patchwork of resilience and vulnerability—plenty of tight games and moments of recovery, reflected in a recent string that includes wins over Luton Town and AFC Wimbledon alongside cup humiliation.
Stevenage arrive in slightly more comfortable territory, sitting 8th with 37 points from 23 games. Their season has been characterised by draws and tight affairs—10 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses overall—and a balanced goals profile. On the road Stevenage have managed 15 goals while conceding 14, which underlines their tendency to be involved in both-team-scoring matches. Their recent league defeat at Luton came after a series of stalemates and draws, but Filip Marschall’s strong display in that fixture (he earned the match’s top rating) suggests Stevenage remain hard to break down and capable of nicking results.
Tactical sparks and statistical takeaways
Statistics point to a game where both sides have reasons to believe they can score. Exeter boast eight clean sheets this season at home, but they concede more away and their recent defensive blowout in the FA Cup will still be fresh in the dressing room. Stevenage’s away numbers show a higher percentage of matches where both teams score, and their attacking and overall shot volumes are comparable to Exeter’s, indicating they will not be overawed by the trip to Devon. The head-to-head clash earlier in the season ended 2-1 to Stevenage, a reminder that Exeter have been vulnerable to Stevenage’s approach when the visitors press their opportunities.
For bettors, this shapes up as a close, competitive fixture. The bookmakers are pricing Exeter narrowly as favourites, yet both teams’ goal and BTTS profiles suggest a match where chances will be created on both ends. If you want to time your play towards scoring markets, consider reading more about The right time to place bets on goal markets to refine entry points. And for anyone wary of emotional swings after heavy defeats or tight reversals, a quick refresher on How to have emotional control when placing bets? can help keep your staking disciplined.
Betting suggestion (end): Both Teams to Score — Yes. Given Exeter’s split home/away defensive figures, Stevenage’s strong away scoring record, and the frequency of low-to-mid scoring, open contests for both clubs, BTTS looks the most consistent play from the available markets. Stake with moderate confidence and consider a conservative stake given the close margins in the 1X2 market.
