Accrington Stanley vs Oldham Prediction: Take a Carabao, son. I mean that. Take a Carabao

Accrington Stanley welcome Oldham Athletic to the Wham Stadium in the Carabao Cup preliminary round this Tuesday (19:45 Sky Sports +). This stage of the competition has been reintroduced for 2025/26 in order to accommodate an unprecedented nine English teams taking part in European competition. 

The preliminary round was last used in the 2011/12 season with Birmingham City having qualified for Europe by winning the cup itself and Fulham qualifying via the Fair Play award. Accrington, along with Newport County, were moved into this revived stage due to finishing in the lowest non-relegation places in League Two. Oldham, who are joined by Barnet, are taking part in this rare stage after promotion from the National League.

Here are my Accrington Stanley vs Oldham Athletic predictions as the nation’s second-favourite domestic cup competition gets even more complicated.

Team News

Hot off the heels of a league opener for each of these sides, a reshuffle is likely from both managers.

Accrington number-two goalkeeper Oliver Wright, middle names Lennon and George, might get a chance to kick his heels up and shout on the Strawberry Fields of the Wham Stadium. Charlie Brown, who joined back in January from Morecambe, could get a chance to wreak some good grief on Oldham. There are other players who might factor into Accrington’s plans, sadly without famous names that allow your scribe to break out the joke book. 

John Doolan likes employing two strikers in his system, which could open the door for Kelsey Mooney. The ex-Boston United man was used as a substitute in Accy’s 1-1 draw with Gillingham, with Josh Woods also featuring from the bench. The Skelmersdale striker is another option in a top-heavy Reds side.

Football Odds

Like their opponents, Oldham may also look to their custodian as the obvious change. The Carabao Cup offers a fine chance to get some minutes into the gloves of 22-year-old Tom Donaghy after his loan last season has been made permanent.

Wales under-21 international Oli Hammond is in contention, as is experienced midfielder Luke Hannant. Manager Micky Mellon may also fancy starting with ex-Wrexham forward Billy Waters while Josh Hawkes and Kieran Harratt are also in contention. 

Accrington Stanley vs Oldham Athletic Odds

The Reds are 13/8 to get the job done in 90 minutes. Oldham are priced at 7/4, for an implied probability of 36.4% of success. The draw is available at 23/10. Which leads me nicely to the first of my tips.

Match Result (90 Minutes) - Draw @ 23/10

This is a tie both sides could do without. With this not being the FA Cup, permit me to puncture the magic. Both of these sides have no designs on lifting the triple-handled gong in March. Accrington and Oldham will likely rotate, as both look to establish themselves in League 2.

Accrington are the second-lowest ranked League 2 side that survived relegation last term, with Newport nestling beneath them in 22nd while Carlisle and Morecambe suffered the drop. Meanwhile, Oldham are back in the Football League after a three-year exile in the National League. 

Both clubs will give it everything on the night, of course. But with heavily-rotated lineups expected from both, and league action around the corner, I see this one going to penalties.

First Half Total Goals - Under 0.5 @ 2/1

We are in for a slow start here in my estimation. The second game back after pre-season, plenty of players making their seasonal or club bow. New rhythms to be found. Chemistry perhaps lacking a little. A 45 minutes lacking in quality could be in the offing.

These sides combined to score one goal over the weekend, with Oldham drawing 0-0 in their League 2 return at Milton Keynes Dons. I reckon unfamiliar patterns and the last of the summer cobwebs will keep this one low-scoring, at least for the first half.

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