Peterborough United are looking to extend their good run with a win over Birmingham City in the npower Championship.
Peterborough United -Vs- Birmingham City
Venue: London Road
Date: 23rd February, 2013
Kick-off: 3pm
The Posh welcome Lee Clark`s Birmingham to London Road on Saturday as they look to extend their unbeaten run to 5 games following their impressive 5-1 win at Millwall on Tuesday night.
Posh`s visit to St Andrews earlier this season was one to forget, as they lost out to an own goal by Bobby Olejnik in a 1-0 defeat. This was one of just 6 games that Posh have failed to score in this season.
Birmingham haven`t won in three; having drawn 0-0 against Sheffield Wednesday, losing 4-0 at home to Watford, and drawing 1-1 at Charlton. However their manager, former Huddersfield boss Lee Clark, is remaining positive and sees Posh as a winnable game for his side. Let`s hope he`s wrong!
TEAM NEWS
Peterborough United
Peterborough United will be looking to keep their run of good form going, but they will have to do that without Posh legend, George Boyd (below). He left the club this week just days after scoring one and assisting three goals at Millwall on Tuesday. The midfielder joined Hull City on loan for the rest of the season and is expected to be in their squad for their game at Bolton.
This could mean a return to the starting line-up for Joe Newell, Davide Petrucci or Danny Swanson, as Fergie looks for a replacement for the talismanic midfielder. Joe Newell (below) has started in many games so far this season, but lost his place a couple of weeks ago to Davide Petrucci, who had a fantastic game against Leicester. He will undoubtedly be itching to get back into the starting XI.
Kgosi Ntlhe isn`t quite fully fit yet and isn`t expected to feature, but Craig Alcock is back from his injury and could be on the Posh bench. Jaanai Gordon could also take a place among the subs, should Fergie decide he needs an attacking option.
Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up will be:
Olejnik
Little, Bostwick, Zakuani, Rowe
Mendez-Laing, McCann, Petrucci, Newell
Tomlin, Gayle
Birmingham City
Birmingham striker Marlon King(below) is a doubt for the clash against Posh. He has an on-going knee problem. Lee Clark also has concerns over experienced left back Paul Robinson, and young midfielder Callum Reilly who both have ankle injuries.
Nikola Zigic could start for the visitors after being forgiven for his training ground attitude and lack of effort a week ago. Darren Ambrose also comes back into contention for City. And 17 year old Ghanaian Koby Arthur will travel with the squad to London Road, as Lee Clark has been impressed with what he`s seen from the youngster.
HOTSHOTS
Peterborough United
10 – Lee Tomlin
7 – Dwight Gayle
Bolton Wanderers
14 – Marlon King
6 – Wade Elliot
6 – Nikola Zigic
REFEREE
MICK RUSSELL, from Hertfordshire, takes charge of this match. This is his first Championship match since he failed to send off a Sheffield Wednesday player for 2 yellow cards after he`d awarded them?
He will be assisted by Ollie Yates and Matt Foley.
The fourth official is Carl Fitch.
PREDICTION
The Posh are in good form and easily dispatched of Millwall in the week, and there’s no reason why they can`t carry on their form against Birmingham on Saturday. If they play with the same attacking force then they`re capable of beating any team in the league. George Boyd is a big loss but it is time for the other players to stand up and be counted, as by no stretch of the imagination were we a one man team.
Vital Posh Prediction: Posh 3 – 1 Birmingham City.
UP THE POSH Follow me on Twitter: @TomLea_
Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com.
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