Preview: Fleetwood Town vs. Accrington Stanley - prediction, team news, lineups

League One outfits Fleetwood Town and Accrington Stanley go head-to-head at the Highbury Stadium in matchday three of the EFL Trophy.

Separated by just a point heading into the contest, both sides have all to play for in this one with top spot in the group up for grabs.

Match preview

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Accrington Stanley saw off the threat of Leicester City Under-21s in a 5-0 thrashing at the Crown Ground on October 5.

Goals from Tommy Leigh, Michael Nottingham, Jack Nolan, John O'Sullivan and Jovan Malcolm secured an emphatic win for John Coleman's men.

The 'Owd Reds have won just one of the subsequent four league outings and currently sit 12th on the log 15 games into the new season.

Next up for them is a clash versus an opposing side who have not come out on top in any of the last four meetings between the teams.

Off the back of a 5-1 loss in their last match on the road, Tuesday's visitors will be wary of suffering another heavy defeat away from home.

Fleetwood Town showed great resolve to come from behind and claim a 3-1 win over Barrow in their second group-stage fixture on October 5.

Trailing at half time thanks to Offrande Zanzala's opener, Simon Grayson's men hit back in the second through Jay Matete, Ryan Edmondson and Max McMillan.

The Cod Army have also won just one of their five subsequent league involvements since then and are currently in the relegation zone, albeit only one point from safety with a game in hand.

Having recorded just one clean sheet all-season long, Tuesday's hosts have work to do at the defensive end if they are to emerge victorious come the full-time whistle.

Team News

Dion Charles scored the winner in this fixture last season, but the 26-year-old is not expected to feature this time having missed the visitors' last 10 games.

Colby Bishop received his marching orders in the defeat to Port Vale on Sunday, making him ineligible for this one.

Fleetwood's Joe Garner has found the back of the net in two of his last three games and is one to keep an eye on.

Conor McLaughlin replaced James Hill in the starting lineup last time out due to the latter's unavailability, and we expect a repeat here.

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Caims; Andrew, Clarke, McLaughlin; Morris, Matete, Camps, Biggins, Lane; Morton, Garner

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Savin; Amankwah, Nottingham, Sykes; Nolan, Hamilton, Morgan, Conneely, O'Sullivan; Pell, Mansell

We say: Fleetwood Town 1-2 Accrington Stanley

The hosts have struggled at both ends of the field of late, and the visitors will be looking to take advantage of that. We are backing the away side to come out on top at the sound of the final whistle.

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