Exeter City
Exeter City
VS
Barnsley FC
Barnsley FC
England
England
League One
Saturday
15:00
Starting in
-- : -- : -- : --
MATCH ABOUT TO START
St. James Park
Exeter
football in stadium
© Midjourney

Exeter City - Barnsley FC ai prediction 20.12.2025 League One

Preview for Match Exeter City vs Barnsley FC

The upcoming League One clash between Exeter City and Barnsley FC at St. James Park on Saturday, 20th December 2025, promises to be an intriguing encounter as both teams vie for crucial points in their respective campaigns. With Exeter City currently languishing in 22nd place, having accumulated only 20 points from 19 matches, their situation appears precarious. They have recorded six victories, two draws, and eleven defeats, netting 18 goals while conceding 20. This match represents a critical opportunity for Exeter to improve their standing, particularly with the home advantage, where they have secured four wins, two draws, and three losses.

Conversely, Barnsley FC sits comfortably in 8th place with 28 points from 17 matches. Their performance has been significantly more robust, featuring eight wins, four draws, and five defeats, with a goal tally of 30 scored and 24 conceded. While their away record is balanced with three wins, three draws, and three losses, Barnsley will be looking to capitalize on their superior form and push for a playoff position.

Historically, Exeter City has enjoyed success against Barnsley in their last direct meeting, winning 2-1 away from home. This historical edge may serve as a psychological boost for Exeter as they prepare to face a formidable opponent. With both teams seeking to establish momentum, this contest is set to be a compelling fixture on Matchday 21 of the League One season.

Our Betting Tip for the Match Exeter City vs Barnsley FC

Our betting prediction for the match between Exeter City and Barnsley FC is a draw (Tip X). Given the current standings and form of both teams, Exeter City, despite their lowly position, has the potential to secure a point at home against a Barnsley side that might underestimate them. Additionally, both teams are likely to find the back of the net, making "Both teams to score? Yes" a sound second tip. The odds for a draw can be found at Premier Bet with a value of 3.45, while the odds for both teams to score are available at Gbets with a value of 1.62.

Our tips

AI Prediction for the Match Exeter City vs Barnsley FC

Analyzing the statistics and recent performances, the AI betting tip suggests that a draw is a plausible outcome for this match. Given Exeter's home advantage and their historical success against Barnsley, a scoreline of 1-1 seems likely. This prediction is supported by the fact that both teams have shown vulnerabilities defensively, making a high-scoring draw a reasonable forecast.

Exeter City Performance Check

Exeter City, under the guidance of manager Gary Caldwell, is striving to climb out of the relegation zone. Their recent performances have been mixed, with two wins and three defeats in their last five matches. This inconsistency has hindered their ability to amass points and build momentum. Notably, their home form has been slightly better than their overall performance, which could play a crucial role in this fixture. The pressure is mounting on Caldwell to turn the tide, and a positive result against Barnsley could provide the confidence boost needed for his squad.

How is the Current Performance of Barnsley FC

Barnsley FC, managed by Conor Hourihane, has displayed a commendable level of performance this season, currently positioned in 8th place. Their recent form consists of two wins, one draw, and two defeats in their last five matches. The Tykes have shown resilience and a knack for scoring, which will be critical as they seek to solidify their playoff ambitions. With a balanced away record, Barnsley will aim to assert their dominance against Exeter and maintain their pursuit of a top-six finish in the league.

Last Direct Match

In their most recent encounter, Exeter City triumphed over Barnsley FC with a score of 2-1 in an away fixture. This victory may serve as a motivational reference point for Exeter City, indicating their capability to secure favorable results against Barnsley.

Head-to-Head Last Direct Meetings

The head-to-head record over the last five meetings reveals that Exeter City has emerged victorious on three occasions, while Barnsley has won twice. Notably, there have been no draws in these encounters, which highlights the competitive nature of this fixture.

Performance Last 5 Matches

Exeter City has managed to secure two wins but has endured three defeats in their last five matches. Conversely, Barnsley FC has experienced a mixed bag, with two wins, one draw, and two defeats over the same period. This recent form adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming match.

Performance

Exeter City
Exeter City
Last games

Exeter City performance of the last 5 home matches

Victories
80%
Over 2.5
40%
Barnsley FC
Barnsley FC
Last games

Barnsley FC performance of the last 5 away matches

Victories
40%
Over 2.5
60%

Last Match Results Exeter City and Barnsley FC

In their most recent outings, Exeter City suffered a 1-2 defeat against Bolton Wanderers, while Barnsley FC achieved a positive result with a 3-2 victory over Leyton Orient. These contrasting results will certainly influence the morale of both teams heading into this matchup.

Best Odds and Our Betting Tip

The best odds for a draw in the upcoming match can be found at Premier Bet, providing a competitive 3.45. Our experience with various betting sites suggests that this represents a favorable opportunity for punters. Additionally, the odds for both teams to score stand at 1.62 at Gbets. For those looking to engage in football betting, we recommend exploring the best betting sites in our bookmaker comparison to find the most advantageous odds.

Conclusion on the Match

In conclusion, the match between Exeter City and Barnsley FC is poised to be a closely contested affair. While Barnsley enters the game as the favorites due to their superior form and league position, Exeter City's historical success against them and home advantage cannot be overlooked. A draw seems to be the most plausible outcome, with both teams likely to find the net. This match will undoubtedly have significant implications for both teams as they navigate the challenges of the League One season.

Here are the best football tips for tomorrow, so be sure to stay tuned for more insightful analyses and predictions!

Current Standing

POS TEAM PTS MP W D L GF GA GD
1
Cardiff City
Cardiff City FC
41 19 13 2 4 36 20 16
2
Bradford City
Bradford City
37 19 10 7 2 28 18 10
3
Lincoln City
Lincoln City
35 20 10 5 5 28 21 7
4
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers
34 19 9 7 3 27 17 10
5
Stevenage FC
Stevenage FC
34 18 10 4 4 22 13 9
6
Stockport County
Stockport County
32 19 9 5 5 26 24 2
7
Luton Town
Luton Town FC
29 20 8 5 7 24 25 -1
8
Barnsley FC
Barnsley FC
28 17 8 4 5 30 24 6
9
Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town AFC
28 20 8 4 8 32 30 2
10
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
27 19 8 3 8 23 26 -3
11
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic FC
26 19 6 8 5 22 21 1
12
Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers
25 20 6 7 7 26 21 5
13
Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient
25 20 7 4 9 32 33 -1
14
Northampton Town
Northampton Town
24 19 7 3 9 18 20 -2
15
Rotherham United
Rotherham United
24 20 6 6 8 20 24 -4
16
Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town
23 19 6 5 8 23 24 -1
17
Burton Albion
Burton Albion
23 19 6 5 8 16 24 -8
18
Reading FC
Reading FC
22 19 5 7 7 21 24 -3
19
Peterborough United
Peterborough United
22 19 7 1 11 23 27 -4
20
Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers
22 20 6 4 10 20 30 -10
21
Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle
22 20 7 1 12 21 32 -11
22
Exeter City
Exeter City
20 19 6 2 11 18 20 -2
23
Blackpool FC
Blackpool FC
20 20 5 5 10 22 30 -8
24
Port Vale FC
Port Vale FC
15 19 3 6 10 13 23 -10
Legend
  • Promotion
  • Play-offs
  • Relegation