Our prediction for this EFL Cup match:
Exeter
Match Time & Date:
31/10/2023
20:45
Prediction: 1-2
MIddlesbrough
A spot in the EFL Cup quarter-finals will be at stake when Exeter City and Middlesbrough go head to head at St James Park on Tuesday evening. The Grecians do not seem to be at their sharpest, with the team collecting only one point in total from the last seven League One fixtures and, as a result, the bookies see them as underdogs in the EFL Cup clash. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team ahead of the visit of Middlesbrough.
The Boro, on the other hand, are on a quest to return to the Premier League. All Dijksteel, Latte Lath, and Rogers are pushing for a start, while the likes of Forss, Smith, Lenihan, McGree, and O’Brien remain in the recovery room. Anyhow, away win should be considered as Exeter have been totally out of form of late.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Exeter):
Nicknamed the Grecians, Exeter City are a professional football club that welcome their rivals at St. James Park. The stadium was opened in September 1904, and it can hold up to 8,696 spectators. Exeter City play their homes in white jerseys with red stripes, and black shorts, while violet and yellow are the dominant colours of their away kit.
The Grecians made it to the FA Cup quarter-finals on two occasions (1930/31, 1980/81), with the team advancing to the FA Trophy semis in the 2005/06 season. The likes of Harry Gee, Cliff Bastin, Maurice Setters, Dick Pym, Fred Whitlow, Arnold Mitchell, Tony Kellow, Fred Binney, Darran Rowbotham, Lee Sharp, and David Pleat are one of the most notable footballers who played for Exeter City in the past.
Plymouth Argyle, Torquay United, Bristol Rovers, and Yeovil Town are considered the club’s fiercest rivals. The Grecians currently compete in the League Two.
Brighton
Southampton
Barcelona
Las Palmas 
Crystal Palace
Newcastle 
Borussia Dortmund 
Bayern Munich 
West Ham
Arsenal
Chelsea 
Aston Villa 
