Preview: Peterborough United vs Leyton Orient – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Looking to defend their title once again, competition specialists Peterborough United host Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy at Weston Homes Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Posh have endured a woeful start to their League One campaign, whilst the O’s are struggling to hit their heights from last season.

Match preview

During the 2024-25 campaign, Peterborough became the first-ever side to lift the EFL Trophy in back-to-back seasons, with Tuesday night’s hosts pulling off a major final shock at Wembley Stadium in April, beating Tom Brady’s Birmingham City in front of 70,000 supporters.

Despite success in cup competitions over recent years, the Posh have experienced pure regression on the League One scene since reaching the playoffs in 2024, finishing 18th in the third tier last term, just five points above the relegation zone.

Darren Ferguson‘s troops are on a worrying trajectory at the beginning of 2025-26, joining Wycombe Wanderers and Port Vale as one of only three sides yet to pick up a victory in League One after six matches, with Peterborough sitting rock bottom of the standings.

Posh’s winless streak across competitive contests stretched to seven matches on Saturday afternoon in Devon, where a brace from Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis and Jayden Wareham’s strike secured a comfortable 3-0 victory for Exeter City.

A major contributor to their concerning start to this season, Peterborough were gutted of key attacking stars over the summer as Kwame Poku, Malik Mothersille and Ricky-Jade Jones all transferring away, with the trio scoring a staggering 35 League One goals combined during 2024-25.

After an inspired end to the League One regular season in the spring, Leyton Orient were 90 minutes away from the Championship at the end of May before losing the third tier’s playoff final to Nathan Jones’s Charlton Athletic at Wembley Stadium.

Following a heartbreaking result in the capital, the O’s have made an inconsistent start to life back on the promotion-chasing horse this season, winning two, drawing one and losing three of their opening six League One contests.

Richie Wellens‘s troops suffered consecutive league defeats for the first time since early March to conclude their summer schedule, losing to Mansfield Town (4-1) and Northampton Town (1-0) ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Weston Homes Stadium.

For only the second time in the third tier this term, the O’s failed to find the net in the defeat to Northampton at the newly-named BetWright Stadium on the weekend, when Cobblers legend Sam Hoskins bagged the only goal of the battle.

Facing the three-time winners of this competition on Tuesday night, Leyton Orient will be looking to go a couple of steps better in the EFL Trophy than last season, when they reached the last 16 before enduring a surprise defeat at home to Stevenage.

Peterborough United form (all competitions): L L L L D L

Leyton Orient form (all competitions): W L D W L L 

Team News

Peterborough should make significant changes following their heavy defeat at Exeter, with Gustav Lindgren and Archie Collins set to be rested.

Lasting only 55 minutes at the home of the Grecians, Abraham Odoh and former Birmingham man Brandon Khela could retain their spots in the XI.

Expect an alteration in net for Ferguson’s side, with 19-year-old Bastian Smith in line for his competitive debut for the Posh.

Looking to be a star for Leyton Orient in League One this season, Aaron Connolly is unlikely to feature from the off in the EFL Trophy this week.

Struggling for regular minutes in the third tier so far, Azeem Abdulai should be in the O’s XI for Tuesday’s group-stage clash.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Smith; Mills, Lees, Nevett, Kioso; Lolos, Khela, Hayes, Odoh, Lisbie; Kamara

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:

Cahill; James, Edmonds-Green, Happe, Craig; Clare, Bakinson, Abdulai, Jaiyesimi, O’Neill; Koroma

We say: Peterborough United 1-2 Leyton Orient

Peterborough are not the same side who blitzed to back-to-back EFL Trophy titles in 2024 and 2025, with the hosts’ recent struggles set to continue.

As a result, Leyton Orient will fancy their chances of picking up an opening-round success in a competitive-looking Southern Group F.

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