Peterborough United will be looking to win three in a row in the second tier of English football for only the second time ever as they entertain Nottingham Forest.
Peterborough United -Vs- Nottingham Forest
Venue: London Road
Date: 6th October, 2012
Kick-off: 3:00pm
What a turnaround in fortunes. After suffering defeat after defeat, Posh stemmed the flow of seven League defeats with two wins away from home at Hull City, who had won all their home games, and Barnsley, who were previously unbeaten at home.
A change in personnel and formation has certainly done the trick but will Darren Ferguson employ the same tactics at home?
Nottingham Forest started the season off well going unbeaten in their first six matches. They then lost two matches in a row before battling to a goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday. They haven`t tasted victory in a League game since 1st September when they beat Charlton 2-1 at home. They have drawn three of their four away matches while losing on their last away outing.
TEAM NEWS
Peterborough United
Darren Ferguson is expected to name an unchanged team for the third match in a row as Posh go in search of a third win on the trot. Fergie said at this week`s press conference ahead of the game: “Forest is a very important game for us. At the start of the week, we might have settled for six points from the three games but having won two games away from home, a third victory in front of our own fans would cap a perfect week.
“We now have the confidence and self-belief to go and give Forest a hard time. We want to perform in front of our own fans now, although they might have to be patient. The formation we have used in the last two games worked perfectly, but it`s a different challenge at home.
“I have a fully fit squad to choose from and I will assess the fitness levels of the squad in the next 24 hours. The players that performed in the reserve team game did very well so they also come into my thinking for the Forest game”.
Fergie has taken things easy in training since the win over Barnsley after the two wins took a lot out of the players.
The Barnsley match saw the introduction of young loanee Saido Berahino [pictured below]. The WBA forward impressed Fergie when he came on and will take his place on the subs bench again.
Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up will be:
Olejnik
Alcock, Brisley, Knight-Percival
Bostwick, Ferdinand
Little Rowe
Boyd
Sinclair, Barnett
Nottingham Forest
Forward Dexter Blackstock sits out of this match as he is serving a suspension following a recent red card. That blow will be softened by the return of Simon Cox.
Adlene Guedioura is also available for selection but there is a doubt over the fitness of Sam Hutchinson. Marcus Tudgay is definitely out as he is still recovering from a double hernia operation.
Forest have failed to score in their last two matches but if they do manage to score today, it will be their 3,000th goal in the second level of English football.
The draw against Blackburn on Wednesday saw the return to Forest of Jermaine Jenas who has signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
HOTSHOTS
Peterborough United
4 – Lee Tomlin
3 – Emile Sinclair
3 – George Boyd
Nottingham Forest
3 – Blackstock
3 – Cox
2 – McGugan
REFEREE
MARK HAYWOOD takes charge of his first Championship match of the season as he officiates Posh entertaining Forest.
To find out details of how he has performed this season, click HERE.
He will be assisted by Elliott Kaye and Keith Lawson.
The fourth official is Adam Crysell.
PREDICTION
Posh should be in a confident mood after their last two performances but Forest are the draw specialists in the Championship having drawn five of their nine matches.
Vital Posh predicts a close match which could go either way or it could end up goalless. Posh to draw: 1 – 1.
UP THE POSH Follow me on Twitter: @mwl1967
Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com.
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