Peterborough United v Northampton Town: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Playing EFL Trophy football offers a welcome change of scene for Peterborough United and Northampton Town, who are both positioned in League One’s bottom half.

Posh had high hopes of pushing for promotion, but they have lost nine of 19 third-tier matches and were on a run of three straight league losses until Saturday’s frenetic 4-3 triumph at home to Crawley Town.

Northampton went into the season with more modest ambitions and appear to have a survival fight on their hands with just two points separating them from the relegation zone.

The Cobblers have never won the EFL Trophy and their struggles in the competition contrast with holders Peterborough, who won the competition for a second time earlier this year by registering a 2-1 Wembley triumph over Wycombe Wanderers.

Peterborough United v Northampton Town betting tips and predictions

Northampton to qualify - 9/4

Northampton are through to the EFL Trophy knockout rounds for the first time since 2021 and they can take a step further by getting the better of Peterborough for the second time in nine days.

The Cobblers were 2-1 winners at home to the Posh in last Monday’s League One encounter which was the first assignment for their caretaker-manager Ian Sampson.

They followed up with a poor performance in Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Rotherham United, but there were a couple of positives to come out of the weekend with defenders Timothy Eyoma and Jordan Willis returning to the matchday squad.

A defensive injury crisis contributed to Town’s recent struggles and played a key role in the departure of their former manager, Jon Brady, who resigned in the wake of a 1-0 loss away to Stevenage.

But their squad seems to be getting healthier and that gives them a better chance of resisting Posh, who are League One’s second top-scorers with 37 goals.

Peterborough’s Achilles heel has been their inability to defend properly.

They have shipped 35 league goals - the second highest in the division - and were typically loose at the weekend when scraping a 4-3 success at home to Crawley.

Posh manager Darren Ferguson has talked about targeting some new recruits in January, but has warned that in the short term his team will have to focus on simply outscoring the opposition.

It is a far from ideal position to be in and the home side's defensive vulnerability may be seized upon by Northampton, who look overpriced 9/4 shots to advance to the next round.

Tom Eaves to score any time - 7/2

Centre-forward Tom Eaves has been one of several Northampton players to miss games through injury, but he is edging closer to full match sharpness and can make his mark against Peterborough.

He was a half-time substitute in Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Rotherham, but he should be ready to start in the EFL Trophy and his aerial prowess could be an important factor.

The 32-year-old has played a lot of Championship football in recent seasons and he can make his mark against one of League One’s leakiest defences.

Over 3.5 goals - 11/8

Goals at both ends are usually guaranteed when it comes to matches involving Peterborough.

Six of Posh’s last eight home games have generated at least five goals, so it seems reasonable to back over 3.5 goals at 11/8.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site

Peterborough United v Northampton Town odds

Peterborough United - 3/5
Draw - 29/10
Northampton Town - 15/4

View the full market and more odds for Peterborough United v Northampton Town on site

Read Peterborough United v Northampton Town how to watch, TV channel, head-to-head stats, team news and more on site

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.