It's a rare trip south this weekend as we visit Exeter City for our third away game of the league campaign.

The Grecians picked up a point at in-form Harrogate Town last weekend, while Rovers will be looking to bounce back from defeat against Port Vale.

What we said:

"Exeter are a good team, especially at home," stated Rob Edwards.

"They’ll want to start fast and put us under pressure early. They started really well against Bristol Rovers and scored four first-half goals. We have to make sure that we don’t give them the game they want. "We need to manage the game well, but we need to be intense and as soon as the ball goes out of play, we need to be switched on. They have the long-throw and they can put you under pressure really quickly and really early."

What they said

"Forest Green have had a really impressive start," said Exeter boss Matt Taylor.

"They've scored a lot of goals so we're trying to get a handle on where their strengths and weaknesses are.

"They're top of the table and a team challenging at the right places within the league format so they're a team we want to go after and test ourselves against."

Team news:

Opi Edwards and Udoka Godwin-Malife remain unavailable due to injury, while Ebou Adams is still suspended.

Nicky Cadden returned to training this week following an injury that kept him of Saturday's defeat against Port Vale.

Key Player: Matt Jay

Matt Jay, a product of the Exeter Academy, made his first team debut in the Football League Trophy over Wycombe Wanderers in 2013 at the age of 17.

The striker, known for his great technical ability and quick feet, has had two successful loan spells at Hayes & Yeading and Truro City. His first goal for City came in the EFL Trophy in August 2016 as he fired home a first-time shot against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.

Jay continued his development as he netted his first league goal against Cambridge United in the 2017/18 season, and he managed to find the net four times in the 2018/19 campaign - three of which were contenders for goal of the season.

His standout season came last time out as he took home all the awards after his 20 goal haul. He was awarded a place in two separate League Two Team of the Years, as well as winning Player of the Year and Player's Player of the Year in the club's awards. 

He has been handed the captaincy by Matt Taylor for the 2021/22 season. 

Last time we met:

Exeter and Forest Green shared the spoils after playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw at St James Park.

The Grecians started well as Matt Jay found some space, but he scuffed his 20-yard shot straight into the arms of Luke McGee.

Jack Sparkes fired wide at the back post after great work by Jay and Randell Williams as Exeter created the better chances.

But with their first genuine chance, Forest Green's Jamille Matt struck the top of the crossbar from close range.

From the resulting corner, in the 16th minute, Nicky Cadden played it to the edge of the box and Aaron Collins sidefooted in from 20 yards out.

Collins almost added a second but was denied by Jonny Maxted before his Exeter namesake - Archie Collins - levelled things in the 37th minute with a brilliant first-time shot from 20 yards that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.

Exeter's Ryan Bowman saw a header flipped away by McGee and Williams shot just wide to bring the half to a close.

Chances dried up after the break, but Exeter should have won it when Joel Randall volleyed over the crossbar from close range from Williams' delicate chip.

Head-to-head:

The history books favour Exeter for this one.

The Grecians have won 11 of the 23 meetings between the teams, with a further 10 ending all square.

Those gifted with mathematic ability will realise that Rovers have won just twice in this fixture, once in 2018 as Reece Brown and Liam Shephard fired them to a stylish away victory and one in March 2007. Both finished 2-1.

Both League Two meetings last season ended level, wit Exeter winning 3-2 in the Papa John's Trophy.

Coverage:

Full commentary of Saturday’s match will be available via our online streaming service and on BBC Radio Gloucestershire on 1413AM.

Rovers fans abroad (excl. UK and Ireland) can buy an international video match pass on the Match Centre.

Tickets are still available on the day of the match.

Stay up to date on Twitter and Instagram by following @FGRFC_Official, which will have all of the team news before kick-off and updates throughout the game.

There will also be key updates and team news on Facebook. Round-up the clash by checking out the club website where there will be a full report looking back on the encounter.