Preview:Accrington Stanley vs Oldham Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

Two League Two teams will lock horns in the preliminary round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening, as Accrington Stanley welcome Oldham Athletic to the Crown Ground.

Both sides opened their 2025-26 League Two campaigns with draws on Saturday, with Accrington playing out a 1-1 with Gillingham, while Oldham Athletic's clash against MK Dons finished goalless.

Match preview

Accrington have never been past the third round of the EFL Cup, and in truth, this competition is not high on their list of priorities this season, but a victory over Oldham Athletic would bring them a lucrative first-round clash with Peterborough United.

The Reds finished 21st in League Two last season, eight points above the relegation zone, so there is plenty of room for improvement during the 2025-26 campaign.

John Doolan's side played out a 1-1 draw with Gillingham in their season opener on Saturday; Tyler Walton made the breakthrough for Stanley in the 66th minute, but the visitors levelled courtesy of a Devon Matthews own goal late on.

Accrington have not tackled Oldham Athletic since August 2021, losing a second-round EFL Cup clash on penalties, but they have been victorious in three of their last four games against Tuesday's opponents.

Oldham Athletic, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw against MK Dons, which represented a solid start on their return to the fourth tier of English football.

The Owls were promoted back to the Football League through last season's National League playoffs, beating Southend United 3-2 after extra time at Wembley at the start of June.

Micky Mellon's side will be looking to establish themselves back in League Two, and they could well be battling the likes of Accrington towards the bottom of the division this term.

Oldham Athletic actually finished as runners-up in the 1989-90 League Cup, losing to Nottingham Forest in the final, while they have also made the FA Cup semi-finals on three occasions, with their last appearance at that stage coming in 1993-94.

The Blues are back in the Football League after a three-year absence, so their main aim for this season will be to avoid relegation, but they have made some eye-catching signings this summer, including Ryan Woods from Exeter City.

Accrington Stanley form (all competitions):

Oldham Athletic form (all competitions):

Team News

Accrington head coach Doolan will ring the changes from the 1-1 draw against Gillingham in League Two.

Josh Woods and Kelsey Mooney both came off the bench during the league affair, and the pair could now be given the nod from the first whistle in the EFL Cup fixture.

There is also set to be a spot in goal for number two goalkeeper Oliver Wright, while Seamus Conneely and Alex Henderson are likely to be introduced into the side on Tuesday night.

Oldham Athletic head coach Mellon will also make changes from the side that started their League Two opener against MK Dons on Saturday, and there is likely to be a spot between the sticks for Tom Donaghy.

Will Sutton, Oliver Hammond, Luke Hannant, Josh Hawkes, Billy Waters and Kian Harratt were all named on the bench on Saturday, but all six could be introduced into the XI here.

However, three of the back four could remain unchanged from the game against MK Dons, and another clean sheet would be a huge positive for the League Two outfit.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Wright; Smith, Rawson, Matthews; Love, Conneely, Coyle, B Woods; Henderson; J Woods, Mooney

Oldham Athletic possible starting lineup:

Donaghy; Ogle, Daniels, Sutton, Leake; Hawkes, Woods, Hammond, Hannant; Haratt, Waters

We say: Accrington Stanley 1-2 Oldham Athletic

This is a really tough match to call, especially as both managers are set to make changes to their strongest sides. Accrington have home advantage, but we are backing Oldham Athletic to navigate their way into the first round of the EFL Cup.

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