The first round of England's longest-running football competition, the FA Cup, will get underway this weekend, and Peterborough United will look to get off to a winning start when they take on Salford City at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Last season, these two were drawn against each other in the opening round of this competition as well, and after playing out a stalemate at this venue, the Posh claimed a 3-0 win in the replay at the Peninsula Stadium a couple of weeks later.
Match preview
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Peterborough come into this match following a 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s in the group stage of the EFL Trophy, with goals from Emmanuel Fernandez, Ricky-Jade Jones, and Kwame Poku.
That result extended The Posh's recent record to three consecutive wins, while they have not suffered defeat in regulation time in any of their last 12 matches in all competitions, including seven wins and five draws.
During their undefeated streak, consecutive victories on the road against Port Vale and Blackpool have boosted them to fourth place in League One, now just four points behind an automatic promotion spot.
In addition, Darren Ferguson's side have managed to score in 15 consecutive games across all competitions, finding the back of the net in every match since their League One encounter with Northampton Town back in mid-August.
The Posh only reached the second round of this competition after overcoming this opponent last season, but with the form they are in and with a little bit of luck in the draw, the hosts will fancy a better run in this campaign.
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Meanwhile, Salford City were also in EFL Trophy action against Manchester United's Under-21s in midweek, where Shola Shoretire scored early, but first-half goals from Conor McAleny and Matthew Lund ensured their side headed into the break with the lead.
Despite United's two quick goals in the second half by Omari Forson and Shoretire, The Ammies secured an entertaining 4-3 victory, with Lund converting two penalties in the final ten minutes to complete his hat-trick.
While that result will give Neil Wood's side some confidence coming into this match, squeaking past an Under-21 side is far from an inspiring result and is indicative of the mixed season they have been having so far.
The Ammies are currently in 13th place in League Two with 21 points after 16 matches this season, recording six wins, three draws, and seven losses in that time, which leaves them eight points behind the top five in the league standings.
Salford have qualified for the main draw of the FA Cup in the last five consecutive seasons and six times in total between 2015-16 and 2022-23, but they have never made it beyond the second round in any of those cup campaigns.
Team News
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Ferguson is still without the services of defensive midfielder Jeando Fuchs, who sustained a groin injury early in the season and is still a few weeks away from returning to action.
Peterborough's backline of Peter Kioso, Josh Knight, Ronnie Edwards, and Harrison Burrows has been good this season and should remain unchanged, barring any late injury concerns.
Matt Smith has been excellent for Salford this season, leading the top scorer charts in League Two with 12 goals in 16 games, and he should return to the starting lineup after being given the afternoon off in midweek.
Lund showed excellent composure in his last match, and he will be hoping that his hat-trick in that game will be enough to earn him a starting 11 role alongside Elliot Watt in the Ammies engine room in this one.
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Bilokapic; Kioso, Knight, Edwards, Burrows; Kyprianou, Collins, Mason-Clark, Randall, Poku; Jones
Salford City possible starting lineup:
Cairns; Shepherd, Mariappa, Garbutt, John; Watt, Ingram, Bolton, Mallan, Watson; Smith
We say: Peterborough United 2-0 Salford City
Peterborough are one of the most in-form teams in League One this season and are already being tipped to secure promotion back to the Championship this season. The Posh have also won four of their last five at home, and against lower-division opponents here, we are backing the hosts to claim another scalp in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
