Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Match Preview
The EFL Trophy (Vertu Trophy) knockout stages kick off this Tuesday with an intriguing tie at the County Ground as Swindon Town host League One side Peterborough United.
This fixture carries a massive narrative: The Return of Luke Williams. The current Peterborough boss, who previously managed Swindon Town, brings his Posh side back to Wiltshire looking to advance to the last 16. Williams has had a mixed start since succeeding Darren Ferguson, and after back-to-back defeats to Stevenage and Doncaster, he will be demanding a reaction.
For Swindon Town, manager Ian Holloway is navigating a full-blown injury crisis. Despite the depleted squad, the Robins have shown remarkable resilience, topping their EFL Trophy group and securing a morale-boosting 2-1 away win at Chesterfield on the weekend. With Wembley on the horizon, Holloway has promised to rotate “as much as legally possible” while still aiming to upset their higher-division opponents.
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Swindon Town vs Peterborough United
- Competition: EFL Trophy (Round of 32)
- Venue: The County Ground, Swindon (Capacity: 15,728)
- Date: Tuesday, 02 December 2025
- Kickoff Time: 19:00 GMT / 00:30 IST (Wednesday)
- Referee: Daniel Baines
- TV Channel: Sky Sports+ (UK)
- Live Stream: Sky Go, iFollow (International)
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Swindon Town:
- League Position: Mid-table in League Two.
- Form: Resilient. Unbeaten in their last 3 games (W-D-D) before the Chesterfield win. They topped EFL Trophy Group L with 6 points, showing they take this competition seriously despite squad thinness.
- Current Challenge: The Injury Crisis. Holloway is down to the bare bones, reportedly missing up to 10 first-team players. He will rely heavily on youth and fringe players to step up against League One opposition.
Peterborough United:
- League Position: Playoff chasers in League One.
- Form: Stuttering. After a 5-0 thrashing of Wimbledon and a derby win over Cambridge (in previous weeks), they have lost two on the bounce (0-1 vs Stevenage, 1-2 vs Doncaster).
- Current Challenge: Consistency under Luke Williams. The new manager needs to find a balance between his possession-heavy style and the directness Posh fans are used to. This game is a chance to build rhythm without the pressure of league points.
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — What’s at Stake
For Swindon Town:
- Giant Killing: Beating a League One side would be a massive feather in Holloway’s cap and maintain the “feel-good” factor he is trying to build despite the injuries.
For Peterborough United:
- Managerial Pride: Luke Williams will not want to lose on his return to his former club. A win is essential to stop the mini-rot of two consecutive defeats.
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Team Form
Swindon Town (Last 5 Matches):
- W vs Chesterfield (2-1)
- D vs Grimsby (2-2)
- D vs Fleetwood (1-1)
- W vs MK Dons (4-0 – EFL Trophy)
- W vs Tranmere (2-1)
Peterborough United (Last 5 Matches):
- L vs Doncaster (1-2)
- L vs Stevenage (0-1)
- W vs Stockport County (3-0)
- W vs Crawley (2-1 – EFL Trophy)
- W vs AFC Wimbledon (5-0)
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Team News
Swindon Town:
- Injury Crisis: The list is extensive. Ollie Clarke (ankle), Ryan Tafazolli (injury), and Aaron Drinan (recent knock) are all major doubts or out.
- Kabongo Tshimanga: The striker is on loan from Peterborough United and is ineligible to play against his parent club.
- Jake Tabor: The young striker was recalled from loan to cover the injury crisis and could feature.
- Rotation: Expect goalkeeper Daniel Barden to start, with Grant Hall needing minutes in defense if fit.
Peterborough United:
- Hector Kyprianou & Kwame Poku: Likely to be rested to protect them for the league campaign.
- Ricky-Jade Jones: May feature off the bench as an impact sub.
- Squad Rotation: Williams has used this competition to blood youngsters. Expect Donay O’Brien-Brady and other academy graduates to get significant minutes alongside senior pros needing match sharpness like Romoney Crichlow (if available) or David Ajiboye.
- Injuries: Mahamadou Susoho (thigh) remains a long-term absentee.
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Head to Head
- 09 Aug 2023: Peterborough 1–1 Swindon (Posh won on pens – EFL Cup)
- 31 Jul 2021: Swindon 0–1 Peterborough (Friendly)
- 10 Apr 2021: Swindon 0–3 Peterborough (League One)
- 03 Oct 2020: Peterborough 3–1 Swindon (League One)
- 21 Jan 2017: Swindon 0–1 Peterborough (League One)
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Predicted Lineups
Swindon Town (3-5-2):
Holloway’s hand is forced by injuries and Tshimanga’s ineligibility.
- GK: Daniel Barden
- CB: Grant Hall
- CB: Harrison Minturn
- CB: Williams Kokolo
- RWB: Joel McGregor
- CM: Nnamdi Ofoborh
- CM: Gavin Kilkenny
- CM: George McEachran
- LWB: Rosaire Longelo
- ST: Paul Glatzel
- ST: Harry Smith
Peterborough United (4-2-3-1):
Williams will likely field a mix of “back-up men” and youth.
- GK: Nicholas Bilokapic
- RB: James Dornelly
- CB: Emmanuel Fernandez
- CB: George Nevett
- LB: Jack Sparkes
- CDM: Ryan De Havilland
- CDM: Donay O’Brien-Brady
- RW: David Ajiboye
- CAM: Cian Hayes
- LW: Malik Mothersille
- ST: Bradley Ihionvien
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Impact Bench Options
Swindon Town:
- Jake Tabor: The recalled youngster will be hungry to prove he belongs at this level if Swindon need a goal.
- Sean McGurk: Offers creativity from the bench if the midfield gets stagnant.
Peterborough United:
- Ricky-Jade Jones: His blistering pace is a cheat code against tired League Two legs in the final 20 minutes.
- Joel Randall: If Posh are chasing the game, Randall’s vision is the best tool they have to unlock a low block.
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Tactical Outlook
Swindon Town:
- Playing Style: Pragmatic Survival. With so many injuries, Holloway will likely set up to be hard to beat, sitting deep and looking to hit Posh on the counter using the pace of Paul Glatzel.
- Weakness: Squad Depth. If the game goes to penalties or extra intensity, Swindon’s bench is filled with inexperienced teenagers compared to Peterborough’s League One quality reserves.
Peterborough United:
- Playing Style: Possession Control. Luke Williams loves his teams to dominate the ball. Expect Posh to have 60%+ possession, probing patiently.
- Strength: Attacking Width. Ajiboye and Mothersille are direct runners who will isolate Swindon’s wing-backs. If they win their 1v1s, Swindon will be in trouble.
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Harry Smith vs. Emmanuel Fernandez | Aerial Duel: Smith is a giant target man. Fernandez is young and physical. Whoever wins the first header dictates Swindon’s ability to get up the pitch. | Swindon |
| Gavin Kilkenny vs. Donay O’Brien-Brady | Midfield Control: Kilkenny has Championship experience. O’Brien-Brady is a hungry youngster. Experience vs. Energy. | Tie |
| Joel McGregor vs. Malik Mothersille | Pace on the Wing: McGregor is a bright talent for Swindon, but Mothersille has League One speed. This flank will be busy. | Peterborough |
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Prediction
Score Prediction: Swindon Town 1–3 Peterborough United
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Peterborough United to Win.
- Both Teams to Score: YES (Posh often concede sloppy goals; Swindon are at home).
- Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals (EFL Trophy group games involving these sides have been high-scoring).
Analysis: While Swindon have shown great character under Holloway, the injury crisis and Tshimanga’s ineligibility leave them severely weakened upfront. Peterborough’s “second string” is full of players who would walk into most League Two teams. Expect Luke Williams to enjoy a winning return to the County Ground, with Posh’s superior firepower making the difference in the second half.
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — Final Word
Swindon Town deserve credit for battling through their injury nightmare, but facing a Peterborough United side with deep reserves of attacking talent is a bridge too far. Luke Williams will want to make a statement, and his squad should have enough quality to navigate this tie professionally.
Swindon Town vs Peterborough United — FAQs
When is the Swindon vs Peterborough match?
The match kicks off on Tuesday, 02 December 2025, at 19:00 GMT (00:30 IST Wednesday).
Can Kabongo Tshimanga play for Swindon?
No, he is on loan from Peterborough and is ineligible to face his parent club.
Who is the Peterborough manager?
Luke Williams is the manager, having recently taken over. He is also a former Swindon Town manager (2015-2017).
Where can I watch the match in India?
The match is available for streaming on iFollow (Swindon or Peterborough official channels) or occasionally via betting streaming platforms like Bet365.
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