Peterborough United take on Cambridge United at the Weston Homes Stadium on Tuesday evening, in their first EFL Trophy group stage game.
It is a clash between two sides currently in League One, with the hosts in 13th place, and the visitors up in sixth after the opening six games.
Match preview
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After reaching the playoff semi-final last season, Peterborough made the perfect start to the 2023-24 campaign, winning their opening two games, but their form has gone downhill rapidly since a 3-1 victory against Barnsley back in August.
The Posh are now on a three-game losing run in League One, coming up short against Northampton Town, Derby County and most recently Portsmouth, although there was some respite in the EFL Cup.
Darren Ferguson's side drew 1-1 against Pompey in regular time at Fratton Park but progressed to the next round after a penalty shootout, and a trip to Mansfield Town is now pencilled in at the end of the month.
Although they got the better of Portsmouth in the EFL Cup, Peterborough struggled against the Fratton Park outfit in their most recent league match, losing 3-1 after recording just two shots on target in the entire match.
As such, the Posh will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night, but they face a tough test against a side that have started the season very well.
Despite flirting with relegation last season, Cambridge United have put in some top-quality performances in the current campaign, meaning they sit in the playoff places, although it is still very early days.
Cambridge got off to a flying start at home against Oxford United, recording a 2-0 victory, and they have since gone on to pick up three more clean sheets against Fleetwood Town, Bristol Rovers and Reading.
Unlike their opponents, however, the U's were unable to progress past the first round of the EFL Cup, losing against League Two side Sutton United at the start of August after a penalty shootout.
Even so, manager Mark Bonner will be very pleased with the start his side have made to the season, and they head into Tuesday's EFL Trophy game off the back of a 1-0 victory against recently-relegated Reading at the Abbey Stadium.
Team News
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Peterborough striker Jonson Clarke-Harris came very close to completing a move to Bristol Rovers on deadline day, but the Gas submitted the paperwork a few minutes late, meaning he remains at the Weston Homes Stadium, although he is unlikely to play on Tuesday.
Instead, Ephron Mason-Clark may lead the line for the hosts, having started four of the last five games, while there could also be game time for some fringe members of the squad.
Josh Knight may replace Romoney Crichlow at centre-back, while Zak Sturge could come in at left-back, having recently arrived on loan from Chelsea.
Fejiri Okenabirhie has been the hero for Cambridge United twice as a substitute already this season, scoring the winner against Reading last time out, and the 27-year-old may be given the chance to prove himself at centre-forward.
As such, Gassan Ahadme may drop to the bench, having failed to score in his last four games, while Bonner may choose to rest a number of other first-team players, considering the league will undoubtedly be his priority.
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Bilokapic; Kioso, Edwards, Knight, Sturge; Kyprianou, Collins, Poku, Ajiboye, Jones; Mason-Clark
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mannion; L. Bennett, R. Bennett, Morrison, Andrew; Digby, Thomas, Brophy, Kachunga, Gordon; Okenabirhie
We say: Peterborough United 1-0 Cambridge United
Cambridge United's start to the season indicates they may not be involved in a relegation battle this season, but it is a tall order to expect them to take anything from Tuesday's game.
Last season's play-off semi-finalists should be able to kick off their EFL Trophy campaign with a victory on home soil, although it will depend on how seriously they are planning to take the competition.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
