Preview: Watford vs Peterborough United - prediction, team news, lineups

Championship side Watford will welcome third-tier Peterborough United to Vicarage Road for Tuesday’s EFL Cup second-round tie.

The contest represents the first meeting between the two sides since Posh prevailed 3-2 in a Championship encounter in April 2013.

Match preview

Watford boss Alessio Dionisi has made a positive start to his tenure, having recorded two home victories and an away draw in his opening three matches.

Dionisi started out with a narrow 1-0 victory over League Two Crawley Town before his side kicked off the Championship season with a 2-1 victory over Southampton.

The Hornets had to be content with a share of the spoils in Saturday's away clash against Wrexham, after Luca Kjerrumgaard's early opener was cancelled out by Danny Imray's first-half equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Watford will look to extend their unbeaten start to four matches in their third EFL Cup second-round appearance in five years.

The Hornets prevailed in their most recent round-two tie in 2024-25, when they beat Plymouth Argyle 2-0 before losing to Manchester City in the third round.

Watford have avoided defeat in their previous three meetings with Peterborough in major cup competitions, prevailing in an FA Cup first-round tie in November 1963, seven years before they won 2-0 in the only previous EFL Cup clash between the two sides.

Peterborough, meanwhile, will be content with their start to the new season, recording two victories in their first three competitive outings.

Posh started their campaign with a 1-0 away win against League Two side Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup.

They were unable to build upon that positive result in their league opener, which saw them fall to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Bradford City at Valley Parade.

After kicking off the campaign with back-to-back away games, Peterborough looked set to play out a 1-1 draw against Mansfield Town in their first home outing until Harry Leonard netted a dramatic 93rd-minute winner.

Luke Williams's side are preparing to head back on their travels for their next two fixtures, including the club's first appearance in the EFL Cup second round since beating Portsmouth on penalties in 2023-24.

Posh may have won their last meeting with Watford at the Weston Homes Stadium in 2013, but they have lost on their previous two visits to Vicarage Road in 2011 and 2012.

Watford EFL Cup form:

Watford form (all competitions):

Peterborough United EFL Cup form:

Peterborough United form (all competitions):

Team News

Watford defender Marc Bola has been ruled out until October after he sustained a hamstring injury on the opening weekend of the Championship season.

The Hornets are also without the services of Jack Grieves, Jeremy Ngakia, Travis Akomeah and Kwadwo Baah due to injury.

Right-back Omar Traore will have to be assessed after being forced off in the closing stages of the first period against Wrexham.

Meanwhile, Peterborough defender Sam Hughes recently suffered a setback in his recovery from a long-term injury that has kept him out since the summer of 2025.

Rio Adebisi is continuing to work on his rehabilitation from a long-term injury, while Matthew Garbett remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.

David Okagbue could return to the starting lineup after serving a one-match ban following his dismissal on the opening day of the League One season.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Eames, Keben, Pollock, Zemura; Kyprianou, Kayembe; Nabizada, Payero, Vata; Doumbia

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Bass; Dornelly, Nevett, O'Connor, Mills; Conn-Clarke, Woods; Edwards, Jones, Williams; Leonard

We say: Watford 3-1 Peterborough United

Watford are the favourites to progress from this tie, and having both of their two home matches this season, we think they make full use of home advantage to secure a spot in the EFL Cup third round.

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