Peterborough United vs Cardiff City

Posh host fellow Sky Bet League One side Cardiff City in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

The Luke Williams era begins on Saturday afternoon as Posh welcome Cardiff City to the Weston Homes Stadium in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup (3pm kick-off) and the football gods were always going to conspire to add a different dimension with the former Swansea City boss coming face to face with the Bluebirds in his first game in the dugout.

Cardiff demonstrated their quality in midweek as they went to Championship side Wrexham and came away with a 2-1 victory to progress in the Carabao Cup.

The tie must be played to a finish with extra time and penalties if required.

TEAM NEWS

Posh are definitely without the services of defenders Sam Hughes and Rio Adebisi while winger Cian Hayes is also side-lined. Boss Williams confirmed that George Nevett, Matt Garbett and Jimmy-Jay Morgan are all rated as doubtful for the tie.

The Bluebirds could make changes to their starting line-up following the win over Championship opposition in midweek with experienced striker Calum Robinson pushing for a start.

ONE TO WATCH

Yousef Salech

Yousef Salech joined the Bluebirds in January 2025, putting pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract in South Wales that will run until the summer of 2029. Hailing from Hellerup, Denmark, Selach began his senior career with local club HIK before moving to Brøndby IF in 2021 to play in the Danish Superliga.

After enjoying loan spells with HB Køge and Belgian side SK Beveren, he joined Swedish top flight club IK Sirius in February 2024, scoring eleven goals during their 2024 league campaign. Salech made a crucial contribution during his first four months as a Bluebird, scoring nine goals in all competitions during the second half of the 2024/25 season.

FROM THE MANAGER

"i am looking forward to the game! It has been a busy few days, getting to know everyone and working with the players, on Saturday I am just looking for a team that will put everything on the line for the club. Cardiff are a good club, I had many battles with them when I was in charge of Swansea City and it will be good to see some familiar faces," Williams said.

Click here to watch Luke Williams' pre-match interview for FREE on Posh+

TICKET NEWS

Admission to the game is cheaper for season ticket holders and there is also a saving to be made for non-season ticket holders if they purchase tickets in advance. You can buy tickets here

Cardiff City fans will be accommodated in the away section of the Kings Power Solutions Stand with the GH Display Stand closed for this tie. Cardiff have sold just over 500 tickets in advance.

Season ticket holders (in advance)
Adults: £15
Seniors 65+/U24s: £12
Under 18s: £8
Under 14s: £5

Non Season ticket holders (in advance)
Adults: £18
Seniors 65+/U24s: £15
Under 18s: £10
Under 14s: £6

Match Day
Adults: £20
Seniors 65+/U24s: £17
Under 18s: £12
Under 14s: £8

FAN ZONE

The BMW Sycamore Fan Zone will be open from 12pm with live coverage of Championship fixture Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers on the big screen, freestyler Jack Dean in attendance as well a facepainter.

KIT COLOURS

Posh will be in their home kit, which you can purchase here

MATCH REFEREE

Sebastien Stockbridge is the match referee.

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Posh moved into the second round of the Emirates FA Cup after a 1-0 victory over Cardiff City at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The new era under Luke Williams began with victory as a goal from Harry Leonard, his first for the club, secured a 1-0 victory over Cardiff City in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Leonard was in the right place at the right time to find the back of the net in the first half and a combination of superb commitment, effort and desire helped Posh get over the line against one of the favourites for promotion from Sky Bet League One.

Posh made a bright start to the contest and created a chance inside the opening two minutes as Kyrell Lisbie picked out Leonard, but he fired wide from close-range.

Posh forced a succession of corner kicks in the first 20 minutes as Cardiff struggled to contain a Posh side that were playing with plenty of intensity.

The visitors' first opportunity fell to Robinson after a mix-up at the back, but his shot was kept out by a retreating Alex Bass. JJ Morgan saw an effort deflected wide of the target while Ben Woods lashed a volley just past the upright.

Kellyman was kept out by Bass on 32 minutes while Kioso produced two fine pieces of defending moments later. Colwill fired straight at Bass as the first half drew to a close.

On 38 minutes, Posh opened the scoring as Morgan's shot fell at the feet of LEONARD, who made no mistake to find the back of the net from close-range.

Bass did well to keep out Ashford on 51 minutes, who also cushioned a volley over the top following a deep cross. Substitute Brandon Khela headed over at the other end with the former Birmingham man also firing straight at Trott after making space for himself on the edge of the box.

The draw for the Second Round Proper will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, on Monday 3rd November from approximately 6.45pm. Ties to be played around the weekend of Saturday 6th December.

Posh: Bass, Collins, Odoh, Lees, Woods (sub O’Brien-Brady 85min), Lisbie (sub Lolos 71min), Mills, Morgan (sub Khela 56min), Leonard (sub Lindgren 71min), O’Connor, Kioso. Unused subs: Reyes, Johnston, De Havilland, Okagbue, Dornelly.

Cardiff City: Trott, Fish (sub Nyakuhwa 90min), Bagan, Kellyman (sub Saleh 56min), Colwill, Robertson (sub Salech 70min) Turnbull, (sub Wintle 70min), Kpakio, Ashford, Robinson (sub Lawlor 56min), Lawlor. Unused subs: Turner, Osho, Wintle, Chambers, J. Colwill, Mafica.

Half-time: Peterborough United 1-0 Cardiff City
Full-time: Peterborough United 1-0 Cardiff City
Attendance: 4,405 (602 Cardiff City fans)
Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge