New manager for Exeter City who haven't won at Peterborough United since 1988, plus odds, dangermen, referee and players who have turned out for both clubs

As expected previous Grecians boss Gary Caldwell left St James’ Park to return to relegation-haunted League One rivals Wigan Athletic. Wigan sacked manager Ryan Lowe straight after their recent 6-1 loss at Posh.

The 43-year-old Scot had been in charge at Exeter since 2022, but has returned to the club where he spent six seasons as a player, and 18 months in the dugout, from April, 2015.

Dan Green is expected to continue as Exeter interim manager when they visit the Weston Homes Stadium at the weekend. He had been working as Caldwell’s assistant.

Exeter drew 1-1 at home to Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday courtesy of an injury time Jayden Wareham header. That was a first goal in five games for Exeter who have drawn four of their last five matches. They have only lost one of their last 10 League One games, a shock 4-0 thumping at home to Rotherham United.

PAST MATCHES

Posh have only lost two of 25 Football League games against Exeter at London Road, the last time in 1988 when ‘The Grecians’ won a Division Four clash 1-0. The other Exeter win arrived in 1971, again in Division Four, when the margin was 3-1.

Posh have won this fixture 10 times, but there have been 13 draws, including last season when Tayo Edun’s clumsy challenge enabled Exeter to claim a 1-1 draw with a 90th minute equaliser. Goalkeeper Nick Bilokapic saved the penalty Edun conceded, but Millenic Alli converted the rebound. Hector Kyprianou had given Posh a first-half lead.

The 4-3 Posh win in Division Four in 1989 is widely regarded as one of the great London Road games. Posh went 2-0 up through a David Harle penalty and an own goal before Exeter fought back to lead 3-2 midway through the second half. Worrell Sterling equalised for Posh before record signing Milton Graham smashed home a spectacular winner three minutes from time.

DANGER MEN

Striker Wareham is Exeter’s top scorer this season with 11 League One goals, the same as Posh centre forward Harry Leonard, before the Tuesday night game with Wycombe Wanderers.

Midfielder Reece Cole is the class act in the Grecians squad though and poses a real threat from set pieces. Northern Ireland international centre forward Josh Magennis scored twice for Exeter in a 3-0 win over Posh in Devon earlier this season. He hasn’t scored a League One goal since September though.

BIG MATCH ODDS

Posh are 17/20 favourites to beat Exeter on Saturday with Sky Bet. Exeter are 5/2 to win with the draw chalked up at 23/10.

Posh are now 40-1 to be promoted this season and 11-1 to finish in the top six with the same firm. Posh are 50/1 to be relegated.

PLAYED FOR BOTH

Current Posh star Archie Collins moved to London Road from Exeter for an undisclosed fee in June, 2023. The 26 year-old made 221 appearances for ‘The Grecians’ scoring 14 goals. Before the Tuesday night game at Barnsley, Collins had made 146 appearances for Posh, scoring seven goals.

Others to have played for both clubs include Joel Randall, Christy Pym, Tom Nichols and Bobby Olejnik.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

First season EFL referee Elliott Swallow takes charge of Posh v Exeter on Saturday. It his first League One appointment. It is only his seventh EFL appointment.