The Saints top Pool 4 going into the final round of LV= Cup round-robin matches, with qualification for the semi-finals still in their own hands.
But Mallinder warned that it was going to take a top performance from the Saints to keep the momentum going.
"We've worked hard to get into this position, and we know that our future in the competition is in our own hands," he commented. "But we also know that we will be up against a tough Exeter team.
"Exeter play an expansive style of rugby and like to get their wide runners into play as much as possible. But they also have some strong forwards who can get them onto the front foot, and we will have to be alert in every area of the field.
"We had to be at our very best in the Premiership there at the start of January and will need a similar performance again this weekend. We're certainly not taking anything for granted."
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY EXETER
LV= Cup Round 4
Sandy Park
Saturday, February 2nd, 2013
Kick off 6:30pm
15 Ben FODEN (capt)
14 James WILSON
13 Dom WALDOUCK
12 Luther BURRELL
11 Jamie ELLIOTT
10 Ryan LAMB
9 Martin ROBERTS
1 Alex WALLER
2 Mike HAYWOOD
3 Tom MERCEY
4 Mark SORENSON
5 Christian DAY
7 Ben NUTLEY
8 GJ VAN VELZE
Replacements
16 Ross MCMILLAN
17 Soane TONGA'UIHA
18 Ethan WALLER
19 Samu MANOA
20 Phil DOWSON
21 Lee DICKSON
22 Stephen MYLER
