Preview: Fleetwood Town vs Accrington Stanley – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Fighting to get off the mark in the EFL Trophy‘s Northern Group G, Fleetwood Town are set to face League Two rivals Accrington Stanley at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday.

The Fishermen are looking to build on their victory last time out, while Stanley are hoping to end their winless run.

Match preview

Pete Wild‘s Fleetwood finished in the bottom half of the third tier in 2024-25, but after an improved start to the season, they have their sights set on a spot the top seven.

On Saturday, the Fishermen took all three points in a 1-0 win on the road to Barrow, courtesy of a first-half strike from Ryan Graydon.

Notably, Wild’s side’s triumph at the weekend ended a four-game winless streak, though they did benefit from a red card for Niall Canavan with just 10 minutes on the clock.

Regardless, that victory brought Fleetwood to ninth in the table, where their tally of 11 points has them level with seventh-placed Milton Keynes Dons, and just one behind third placed Bromley in the automatic promotion places.

Last term, the Fishermen failed to progress from their EFL Trophy group, and they will be keen to go as far as possible in the competition this time around, knowing that a cup run could inspire their push for promotion.

Meanwhile, John Doolan‘s Accrington ended last season’s League Two campaign just two places above the relegation zone, and they will be hoping to enjoy a more comfortable 2025-26.

At the weekend, Stanley earned a point in a frustrating 0-0 draw with Shrewsbury Town, marking the second game on the bounce that they failed to score in.

That stalemate kept Doolan’s side above the drop zone by a single point, though it also extended their winless run to four matches across all competitions.

Playing on their travels this week, the visitors will be wary given that they have won only twice away from the Crown Ground in their last nine clashes on the road, a stretch that goes back to February.

However, Accrington know that success in the cup could bring a positive spark to their otherwise troubling season, but they will need to better their elimination from the 2024-25 group stage to benefit.

Fleetwood Town form (all competitions):

Accrington Stanley form (all competitions):

Team News

Finley Potter, Toby Mullarkey and Shaun Rooney could start in a back three for Fleetwood this week, flanked by wing-backs Will Johnson and Liam Roberts.

In the centre of the park, Wild may select Matty Virtue, Harrison Neal and George Morrison to create stability for his strike partnership of James Norwood and Ched Evans.

As for Accrington, they will welcome right wing-back Josh Woods back into the XI after he served a suspension last time out, and he should join Logan Pye either side of centre-backs Devon Matthews, Benn Ward and Freddie Sass.

Up top, Kelsey Mooney and Anjola Popoola are likely to be supported by Charlie Caton from an attacking midfield position.

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:

Harrington; Johnson, Rooney, Mullarkey, Potter, Roberts; Virtue-Thick, Neal, Morrison; Norwood, Evans

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Matthews, Ward, Sass; Wood, Bauress, Henderson, Pye; Caton; Mooney, Popoola

We say: Fleetwood Town 2-1 Accrington Stanley

Fleetwood have been significantly better in 2025-26 than last season, and they will be confident of securing the points against their league mates.

Accrington on the other hand have struggled once again this term, and it will be tough for them to overcome their hosts.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email