Free-scoring Posh should make no mistake this time

FA Cup second-round replay
BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Tuesday

Peterborough are flying high in Sky Bet League One's top six and they could prove to be worthy favourites when they host League Two strugglers Notts County in this FA Cup second-round replay.

Posh should have wrapped up this tie at Meadow Lane after taking an early 2-0 lead but Louis Laing equalised for County in injury time to force a second meeting.

That form can largely be ignored, however, as Grant McCann saw his side reduced to ten men at the end of the first half and they just failed to hold off the hosts.

Instead it makes sense to focus on league form and that suggests that the League One boys should have a considerable class advantage over their Nottingham opponents.

Posh have won five of their last six in the league, failing only to beat third-tier pacesetters Scunthorpe, and the manner of their victories have been impressive. Three wins have come in tough circumstances on the road while they have beaten fellow promotion hopefuls Bolton at London Road.

As far as goals are concerned, McCann's team have picked up where they left off last season - where they scored 82 times despite finishing 13th - and only Scunny and Rochdale have notched more at home.

Their form contrasts hugely with that of Notts County, who are facing a post-Christmas fight to protect their Football League status.

County, in the midst of a takeover bid, are in crisis both on and off the field after they were given seven weeks to settle a hefty tax bill. They will be desperate for a victory that would set up a blockbuster third-round money-spinner away at Chelsea.

That might be tough to achieve, however, as John Sheridan's Magpies are on a run of six straight defeats in League Two and in danger of sliding further towards the drop zone.

It could be a case of FA Cup or bust for them but Peterborough will also be eyeing up a trip to Stamford Bridge and they could run riot against a defence who have leaked nine goals in four games.

Posh were impressive against Charlton on Saturday and although striker Marcus Maddison remains a doubt McCann can count on Tom Nichols, who scored against Liverpool in this competition as an Exeter player last season, to lead the charge.

Peterborough look capable of easing past their lower-ranked opponents and the odds on offer looks generous.

Recommendation
Peterborough
2pts 4-6 BoyleSports

Team news
Peterborough
Posh striker Marcus Maddison is a doubt while Jack Baldwin and Jermaine Anderson are both sidelined.

Notts County
County are without Michael O'Connor, who is suspended after seeing red against Wycombe

Key stat
Notts County have lost five of their last six matches in all competitions