The young Blues failed to win a game in the group stage last term so will be looking to improve upon that showing and replicate previous successful runs in the competition, most notably in 2017/18 when we reached the semi-finals.

Following the trip to Exeter, Andy Myers’s side will take on Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town, all away from home. The top two in each group advance to the knockout round. Any game in the group stage that finishes in a draw will conclude with a penalty shootout, with the winners claiming an extra bonus point.

Last time out

Myers’s men have a pair of draws from their opening two matches in Premier League 2, the latest coming against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge last Friday.

Harvey Vale has scored all three goals for the team so far in 2021/22, two of which came from converted penalties. Despite going down to 10 men at the Bridge, it looked like our youngsters would hold on for the victory before United equalised with three minutes remaining.

In our previous game, the league opener away at Tottenham, a 2-0 half-time lead was wiped out as Spurs snatched a point with a second-half comeback.

The opposition

The Grecians claimed their first win of the season at the weekend, with Matt Jay at the double in a 4-1 victory against Bristol Rovers. Matt Taylor’s side currently sit 12th in England’s fourth tier with a win, a defeat and two draws from their opening four League Two games of 2021/22.

They have already exited one domestic cup competition following a penalty shootout defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in the first round of the League Cup.

In the EFL Trophy last term, Exeter topped their group before losing in the first knockout round to Northampton Town.

We have history

The two sides have met twice before in the EFL Trophy, most recently in November 2017 when Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James were among the goals in a 3-1 victory for Joe Edwards’s side at St James Park.

Prior to that, a team featuring Trevoh Chalobah and Mason Mount were beaten 3-2 a year earlier.

The squad

How to watch

For those supporters wishing to attend the game in person, tickets can be purchased online priced at £12 for adults, £10 for concessions, £4 for under-18s and £2 for under-12s. Kick-off is at 7pm.

A live stream is available in the UK via Exeter’s iFollow service, which will charge £10 for a match pass.