Manchester City vs Exeter Preview & Tips - City tipped to finally end winless run

ben-darvill
By Ben Darvill
08 Jan 2026
Share
Ben Darvill 08 Jan 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
Copy
  • City are unbeaten in their last 11 in all competitions 
  • Exeter have lost five of their last seven away games in all competitions 
  • Preview, stats & head to head
Phil Foden of Manchester City (Getty Images)
Phil Foden of Manchester City (Getty Images)

Manchester City vs Exeter Preview & Tips


Manchester City are searching for a return to winning ways after being held to three consecutive draws across 2026. 

Exeter are looking to take the biggest scalp in the English game, with their trip to face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City one that will have the team eyeing a stunning win. 

  • City have not lost a match since November 25th (P11, W8, D3)
  • City's last three home wins have been to nil 

Head To Head


This will be the first time the two sides have ever met in a competitive match. 

Manchester City Form 


Despite not tasting defeat since late-November last year, Manchester City have hit a worrying speedbump that has derailed their hopes of winning the Premier League. Three consecutive draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton means City are yet to win in 2026, with Pep Guardiola's men uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal. This has seen Arsenal, who take on Portsmouth in the FA Cup this weekend, move clear of them at the summit. 

Their clash with Exeter does constitute a potential banana skin, but City will surely be far too strong for a side that currently sits in 14th in League One. 

Even if the home side are to rotate, which I expect them to do, their second-string side should have little issue eliminating Exeter. Each of City's last three home wins have come to nil, and I predict more of the same in this one as Exeter struggle to break their hosts down. 

Exeter Form 


Exeter can do the unthinkable this weekend, with the League One outfit primed and ready to try to eliminate Manchester City from the FA Cup. 

City arrive for this one on the back of three consecutive draws, with each match seeing the Premier League side drop points. However, prior to this, City had won eight successive matches, while Exeter have lost five of their last seven away games in all competitions. 

While Exeter will likely get their chances against a City defence that has not been at their best, I do not predict they will take any of them. The League One side will relish the chance to take a big scalp, but I believe that they will fall in the third round of the FA Cup. 

Verdict

I am backing City to win this one to nil as their peripheral players show the first-choice players how it is done. 

Best Bet1: Manchester City To Win To Nil @-109.89 at Stake.com - 1 Unit
Manchester City
To Win To Nil
@-109.89 - 1 Unit
25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com

See also

Sports Events Starts in

Latest News

See all
  • 18 Logo
  • Game Care Logo
 bonus image
Copyright © 2026 Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Players must be 18 or over and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: Gamcare . #Ads © 2026 totosports.com