Sports Mole previews Saturday’s FA Cup clash between Newport County and Peterborough United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Newport County will host Peterborough United at Rodney Parade on Saturday evening, with both teams aiming to book their place in the FA Cup second round.
This will be the second meeting between both sides in history, and their first ever in this competition, having only previously met once in the EFL Trophy just over a decade ago.
Match preview
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Newport finished 18th in League Two last season, which led to Graham Coughlan‘s departure by mutual consent, and Nelson Jardim‘s appointment as the new head coach.
Jardim’s men have not had the best start to the season, as they are currently 14th in the league table with 19 points after 14 matches and were eliminated from the EFL Cup in the first round by Leyton Orient.
The Exiles reached the fourth round of the 2023-24 FA Cup before losing 4-2 to Premier League side Manchester United, and they will hope to emulate that feat or even better it this season.
Newport’s best FA Cup run has seen them reach the fifth round (last 16), a feat they have achieved twice in their history: first in 1948-49 when they lost to Portsmouth after extra time, and in 2018-19 when they lost to eventual winners Manchester City.
This fixture has only been played once before, in the EFL Trophy tournament in 2013, when the Exiles lost 3-0 at Rodney Parade.
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After being relegated from the Championship in 2021-22, Peterborough are now in their third consecutive season in League One, having suffered playoff semifinal defeats in each of the previous two years.
However, the Posh did enjoy success last season, winning the EFL Trophy for the second time in their history by defeating Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 in the final.
Peterborough have not made the best start to this League One campaign, as they currently sit in 13th place with 18 points from 14 matches, four points off the last playoff spot.
Having reached the quarter-finals of the 1964-65 FA Cup, the Posh will be aiming to replicate such a run, which they must start by securing a second consecutive win against Newport.
Newport County FA Cup form:
Newport County form (all competitions):
Peterborough United FA Cup form:
Peterborough United form (all competitions):
Team News
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Newport right-back Shane McLoughlin has been sidelined with a knee injury since September and is not expected to return for this clash.
Aaron Wildig has scored four league goals for the Exiles this season, and the attacking midfielder will be hoping to make the difference on Saturday.
Peterborough will also be missing midfielders Ryan De Havilland and Mahamadou Susoho, who have knee and thigh issues respectively.
Kwame Poku has bagged seven goals in 13 League One games this season, and the forward will be the man to watch for the Posh.
Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; Evans, Jameson, Brennan, Baker; Milley, Morris; Driscoll-Glennon, Wildig, Kamwa; Hudlin
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Bilokapic; Dornelly, Fernandez, Wallin, Sparkes; Collins, Brady; Poku, Randall, Mothersille; Jones
We say: Newport County 1-2 Peterborough United
Both teams have been largely inconsistent this season, but Peterborough have shown their quality in recent times and are favourites to edge this one, given how they tend to rise to the occasion in knockout competitions.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.