Preview:Peterborough United vs. Plymouth Argyle - prediction, team news, lineups

Peterborough United play host to Plymouth Argyle at the ABAX Stadium on Tuesday for their EFL Cup first-round meeting.

The teams will be looking to bounce back after suffering defeats in their respective opening league fixtures last time out.

Match preview

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Peterborough United started their life back in the Championship on the back foot following a 3-0 loss versus Luton Town at the Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

Goals from Elijah Adebayo, Harry Cornick and Fred Onyedinma condemned Darren Ferguson's men to a comprehensive defeat.

The Posh only have little time to dwell on what was a bad day at the office as they seek to avoid a fifth consecutive first-round exit in the EFL Cup.

Tuesday's hosts last made it into the second round in the 2016-17 campaign courtesy of a 3-2 victory over AFC Wimbledon.

Having won seven of the last 10 meetings between the sides, Peterborough United have a historical advantage over their next opponents.

Plymouth Argyle suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of Rotherham United in their first game of the new League One season.

The contest was decided in the first half, where goals from Freddie Ladapo and Ben Wiles left Ryan Lowe's men with too much work to do.

Since a 5-0 drubbing by Bristol City in 2017, the Pilgrims have progressed into the second round of the tournament three times on the bounce.

Tuesday's visitors have failed to win any of their last 12 competitive outings on the road, with the last victory coming back in January.

Team News

Siriki Dembele has missed the hosts' last two matches and is a major doubt for this one as he is yet to fully recover from a hamstring problem.

Twenty-three-year-old Jack Taylor is not expected to play any part in Tuesday's contest as he remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Darren Ferguson has seen his side fail to score in three consecutive matches and could make a few alterations to his attack in a bid to get them firing again.

Plymouth Argyle have also struggled in front of goal of late, going over 400 minutes of action since they last found the back of the net.

James Bolton is in line to make his debut for the visitors after completing a free transfer from Portsmouth last month.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Pym; Butler, Beevers, Kent, Thompson; Tomlinson, Grant, Knight, Ward; Clark-Harris, Szmodics

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Gillesphey, Scarr, Wilson; Grant, Mayor, Houghton, Camara, Edwards; Jephcott, Hardie

We say: Peterborough United 2-1 Plymouth Argyle

The two teams will feel that they have the wherewithal to advance, which should make for a very entertaining cup tie. The home team have the better squad overall, and we are backing them to secure safe passage into the next round with a narrow victory in this one.