EFL Trophy | Semi-Finals

Feb 26, 2025 at 7.30pm UK

SToK Cae Ras

Wrexham vs Peterborough

Match preview

Wrexham's main priority this season is the league, with the Red Dragons chasing a third successive promotion.

Phil Parkinson's side sit third in the table, three points adrift of second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, having won 18, drawn seven and lost seven of their 32 league games this season.

The Red Dragons enjoyed a successful trip to the One Call Stadium on Sunday, beating Mansfield Town 2-1 thanks to an early own goal and Max Cleworth's 58th-minute winner.

Wrexham will now put their promotion bid on hold to concentrate on winning the EFL Trophy for the second time in their history and the first time since 2004-05, when they beat Southend United in the final.

They are in the last four after defeating Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale in the knockout rounds before beating Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at home in the quarter-finals earlier this month.

Wednesday's hosts will be looking to beat Peterborough for the third time this season, having followed up a 2-0 away win in August with a narrow 1-0 home victory in January.

Unlike their opponents, Peterborough are fighting to maintain their League One status, with Posh languishing in 20th place, just two points above the relegation zone.

Darren Ferguson's men will at least go into Wednesday's clash in a positive mood after Saturday's successful away trip to Huddersfield Town.

Hector Kyprianou's first-half strike was enough to secure a narrow 1-0 victory, ending Peterborough's 14-game winless run on the road and their wait for a first away clean sheet in League One.

The Posh are now preparing to travel to the EFL Trophy knockout rounds for the first time in 2024-25, having beaten Northampton Town, Walsall and Cheltenham Town at home, scoring 10 goals in the process.

Peterborough will have fond memories of last season's semi-final clash with Blackpool, which they won 3-0 en route to lifting the EFL Trophy for the second time in their history.

If they can see off Wrexham, Posh will be just one game away from matching Bristol City's record of three EFL Trophy wins.

Recent Performance

Wrexham EFL Trophy form:WWLWWW

Wrexham form (all competitions):WWWWLW

Peterborough United EFL Trophy form:WWWWWW

Peterborough United form (all competitions):WLWLDW

Team News

Wrexham are without Luke Bolton, Callum Burton and Will Boyle, while it remains to be seen whether Elliot Lee will be in contention for a place in the matchday squad.

Midfielder Andy Cannon is set for a spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off with a knee injury in Sunday's win over Mansfield.Matty James will replace Cannon in the Wrexham line-up, while Ryan Barnett and Jack Marriott could also get starts.

The visitors will be without the services of Gustav Lindgren, Kwame Poku, Jadel Katongo and Rio Adebisi.Emmanuel Fernandez returns to the matchday squad with his fourth-game suspension waived for the EFL Trophy.

Donay O'Brien Brady, George Nevett and Chris Conn-Clarke could all start if Ferguson opts to freshen up his side.

Possible starting lineup

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Okonkwo; Cleworth, O'Connell, O'Connor; Barnett, Dobson, James, Rathbone, Revan; Marriott, Smith

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Steer; O'Brien-Brady, Fernandez, Wallin, Nevett; Kyprianou, Collins; Odoh, Conn-Clarke, Mothersille; Jones