Preview: Accrington Stanley vs Peterborough United - prediction, team news, lineups

Accrington Stanley will host Peterborough United at Wham Stadium on Tuesday in the first round of the EFL Cup.

The League One hosts will be hoping to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, whereas a win for the League Two outfit would be their first of the 2025-26 campaign.

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Match preview

The home side failed to create a single big chance against Crewe, and both of their shots on target in the first half were speculative attempts from distance.

Boss John Doolan will be concerned by his team's displays in front of goal considering they have only scored once in their two league fixtures this season, and their tally of 23 touches inside their opponents' penalty area is the joint second fewest a club have mustered in League One.

The Reds lost 3-0 against Tranmere Rovers in the first round of the EFL Cup last term, though they did beat Oldham Athletic 3-1 on August 5 in a preliminary round in this campaign's edition of the tournament.

Accrington have only achieved victory in one of their games this season - losing one and drawing one - and they conceded four times in those fixtures.

Doolan's team have begun 2025-26 with one triumph and one stalemate in their two home outings so far, whereas they ended 2024-25 winless at Wham Stadium in six matches, succumbing to defeat twice.

The visitors lost 2-0 against Luton Town on Saturday, meaning they have begun their campaign with two defeats.

Peterborough have in fact been defeated in their four most recent competitive games and were held to stalemates in their prior three outings.

A win for head coach Darren Ferguson's side on Tuesday would extend their winning streak against Accrington to four matches.

The Posh have conceded at least two goals in each of their past four competitive fixtures while only finding the back of the net four times.

Peterborough were beaten 2-1 against Cardiff City on August 2 in their only away clash this term, but their displays on the road at the end of 2024-25 were also poor, with the club losing two and drawing one of their last three away games.

Accrington Stanley EFL Cup form:

Accrington Stanley form (all competitions):

Peterborough United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Accrington paired strikers Kelsey Mooney and Anjola Popoola together against Oldham, and the duo will hope to stay in the XI.

Josh Woods played in a supportive role in attack against Oldham, and he may be supported by midfielders Seamus Conneely and Alex Henderson.

Shot-stopper Oliver Wright will hope that centre-backs Devon Matthews, Farrend Rawson and Freddie Sass can protect his goal.

As for Peterborough, right-back James Dornelly is certain to start given Carl Johnston was taken off as a result of injury against Luton.

Midfielders Archie Collins, Brandon Khela and Donay O'Brien-Brady can be expected to support forwards Cian Hayes, Bradley Ihionvien and Abraham Odoh.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Wright; Matthews, Rawson, Sass; Brown, Conneely, Henderson, Tunstall; Woods; Mooney, Popoola

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Bilokapic; Dornelly, Okagbue, Wallin, Mills; Khela, Collins, O'Brien-Brady; Hayes, Ihionvien, Odoh

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We say: Accrington Stanley 1-0 Peterborough United

 

Peterborough's performances so far have been poor, and Accrington will be confident of taking advantage of their struggles.

The hosts have not been productive in the final third, and supporters should expect a low-scoring clash that may even be decided by one goal.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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