Peterborough United are looking to move closer to safety with a win over 2nd placed Leicester City.
Peterborough United -Vs- Leicester City
Venue: London Road
Date: 9th February, 2013
Kick-off: 3pm
The Posh welcome the Foxes to London Road having enjoyed decent results against the visitors in the past. The Posh won this fixture 1-0 last season, with Paul Taylor grabbing the only goal of the game
However, Posh travelled to Leicester`s King Power Stadium on the opening day of the season, and it was a start to forget. Fergie`s men lost 2-0 to the Foxes thanks to goals by Wes Morgan and Andy King. Posh were also poor going forward in that fixture, and will be hoping for a different outcome with Dwight Gayle leading the line.
Leicester`s last game was a 2-1 win over Dean Saunders` Wolverhampton Wanderers, who the Posh overcame comfortably 3-0 at Molineux on Boxing Day. In form Anthony Knockaert got the foxes in front before Bakary Sako struck back for Wolves, before David Nugent scored his 14th goal of the season to extend their unbeaten run to 8 games in all competitions.
TEAM NEWS
Peterborough United
Posh boss Darren Ferguson has a large squad of players to choose from as we enter the business end of the season. He could make a number of changes, which could see a change in formation. He could decide to stick with the 5-3-2 formation that Posh have played for much of the season; or they could change to a 4-4-2 formation, which seemed to suit Posh much more against Burnley on Saturday
Should he stick with 5-3-2, Nat Knight-Percival could face competition from Shaun Brisley for a centre back role alongside Gaby Zakuani and Michael Bostwick, with Mark Little and 2 goal hero Tommy Rowe in the right and left wing back roles. Changes could also be made in midfield, with Alex Pritchard (below) pushing for a start. Joe Newell would be the likely man to be replaced should Fergie start with the Spurs loanee.
Alternatively, Fergie could decide to change to a 4-4-2 formation, that Posh ended the game playing against Burnley. This would see Alex Pritchard and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (below), come into midfield. Mendez-Laing has had a fair amount of trouble since he re-joined the club, having been transfer listed, loaned out to Portsmouth, and told he`ll never play for Posh again, following his night club crawl with Tyrone Barnett, Emile Sinclair and Gaby Zakuani. But Darren Ferguson has decided to forgive and forget, and the big winger is back in the Scotsman`s plans.
The 4-4-2 formation also gives Fergie license to switch back to his tried and tested diamond formation, with old guard Grant McCann sitting at the base, and George Boyd in the free role behind Lee Tomlin and Dwight Gayle. But if the diamond is played, it is likely that Fergie will do with Joe Newell in midfield instead of Mendez-Laing or Pritchard, as Posh won`t play with as much width.
Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up will be:
Olejnik
Little, Bostwick, Zakuani, Rowe
Mendez-Laing, McCann, Boyd, Pritchard
Tomlin, Gayle
Leicester City
Former Posh defender/trouble maker, Sean St Ledger (below) and fellow centre back Zak Whitbread, have returned to full training following lengthy injury absences. Ex-Manchester United midfielder Matty James has recovered from a knock, along with centre half Liam Moore, who is expected to start alongside Captain Wes Morgan.
HOTSHOTS
Peterborough United
8 – Lee Tomlin
7 – Dwight Gayle
6 – George Boyd
4 – Michael Bostwick
Leicester City
14 – David Nugent
8 – Anthony Knockaert
7 – Chris Wood
5 – Jamie Vardy
REFEREE
GRAHAM SCOTT takes charge of this match. To find out more details of the referee, click HERE.
He will be assisted by Jake Hillier and Barry Holderness.
The fourth official is Tim Robinson.
PREDICTION
The Posh may well be undefeated in 4 home games, but Saturday`s opposition sit second in the npower championship table and it will be a massive ask to expect the three points to go in Posh`s favour. However, Posh have made a habit of beating big clubs this season, having beaten Cardiff and Wolves away, and Bolton at home.
Despite Leicester`s position in the table, this is a must win for Posh as they look to claw their way to safety, with their first goal to get off the foot of the table. But unfortunately, everything is pointing in the direction of a win for the visitors, who haven`t lacked goals this season.
Vital Posh Prediction: Posh 1 – 4 Leicester.
UP THE POSH Follow me on Twitter: @TomLea_
Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com.
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