Next Up: Burton Albion vs Exeter City

It has been a slow start so far for a Burton side that has something of a new look about it. After the Brewers ended up comfortably clear of the relegation zone last season, Dino Maamria got very busy in the transfer market in the summer – most notably seeming to look up anyone who played for City last season as no fewer than four members of City’s 22/23 squad made the move to Burton. These were goalkeeper Jamal Blackman, midfield loanees Rekeem Harper and Kegs Chauke and, perhaps most controversially, Jake Caprice – whose appearance in a friendly for Burton before his transfer had been completed caused some consternation and may lead to the reception for the pacy full back being rather less than friendly from the away support.

As always with a new look squad there may be issues gelling, and Burton lost their first four matches in all competitions although successive draws with Wycombe and Bolton will have given hope to the Brewers faithful that their season is on the up.

This fixture was not a happy one for City last season as Burton took all six points. The match at the Park in September, the first meeting between the sides in nearly eight years, was a particularly shocking result as City succumbed 2-0 to a Burton side that had barely registered a point, second half goals from Oshilaja and Keillor-Dunn sealing the points. Any hopes of revenge at the Pirelli Stadium were dashed as City had over 70% of possession but still lost to a late strike from Sam Winnall.

Those wins extended Burton’s head to head lead to 10-5, with three draws. In fact City have only won one away fixture, and that was at Burton’s former Eton Park ground in the first ever meeting between the sides in 2003.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Assistant Referees: Shaun Hudson and Carl Fitch-Jackson
Fourth Official : Simon Mather

The last time Geoff Eltringham refereed an Exeter City game was October 2014, when Exeter City won 2-0 away at Morecambe in League Two.

Pre-match interview with Will Aimson

Pre-match interview with Gary Caldwell