Rotherham United and Exeter City meet at the New York Stadium on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win could all but secure their third-tier status for another 12 months.
These two clubs sit in 14th and 16th place in the League One table respectively, the latter 10 points above the drop zone with 11 games remaining.
Match preview
![Rotherham United manager Steve Evans during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United at Adams Park, High Wycombe, England, on 24 August 2024. [on August 25, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/steve-evans.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Rotherham United manager Steve Evans during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United at Adams Park, High Wycombe, England, on 24 August 2024. [on August 25, 2024]")
© Imago
Steve Evans has not had the impact that he would have expected at Rotherham, the club having failed to put together any kind of playoff push this campaign.
Nevertheless, Evans will take the positives from the Millers almost being out of trouble courtesy of a recent two-match winning streak.
Victories over Bristol Rovers and Leyton Orient have ensured that Rotherham now sit 11 points above the relegation zone with just the 10 matches left.
Despite going down 1-0 at Wrexham last time out, Rotherham appear to be heading in the right direction even in defeats. Their last five losses have all come by one-goal margins.
Their home form has been a plus point of this season. Nine wins have come from 17 games, conceding just 17 times, and Rotherham still have six matches to play on familiar territory.
© Imago
Meanwhile, there was a time recently when Gary Caldwell seemed very much at risk of losing his job at Exeter, a consequence of seven defeats and just one win across a 10-match period.
That resulted in the Grecians dropping closer to the relegation zone at an important stage of the season, but Caldwell has since emerged as one of the managers of the month.
Since the start of March, eight points have been collected from a possible 12 against Northampton Town, Reading, Shrewsbury Town and Mansfield Town.
Furthermore, three clean sheets have been kept in a row, Exeter having catapulted themselves into 16th position, but this remains a team that have scored just 13 times in 17 away games this season.
Team News
© Imago
Evans may not feel the need to tinker with his Rotherham XI after his players gave a strong account of themselves at Wrexham.
With Zak Jules again expected to miss out, Cameron Humphreys should remain in central defence with Louie Sibley being used in a midfield three.
Demetri Mitchell flourished in an unfamiliar central-attacking role last time out and should retain his place alongside Josh Magennis.
Caleb Watts could start ahead of Pat Jones having replaced him at half time versus Mansfield, but the rest of the team may stay the same.
Defender Angus MacDonald scored his first goal since his arrival from Aberdeen in the Mansfield, continuing to prove influential since his recent transfer.
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Phillips; McWilliams, Odoffin, Humphreys, James; Sibley, Mpanzu, Powell; Wilks; Clarke-Harris, Nombe
Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Whitworth; Turns, MacDonald, Hartridge; McMillan, Trevitt, Francis, Purrington; Watts; Mitchell, Magennis
We say: Rotherham United 2-1 Exeter City
Exeter will back themselves to earn a result in Yorkshire on the back of their recent resurgence. However, we feel that the Millers will edge out Caldwell's side, potentially by the odd goal in three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
