Peterborough United will be looking to pick up their first points of the season at home when they welcome the team they comfortably beat in the 2010/11 League One Play-Off Final at Old Trafford, Huddersfield Town.
Peterborough United -Vs- Huddersfield Town
Venue: London Road
Date: 22nd October, 2012
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Posh welcome visitors Huddersfield Town to London Road for the first time since Posh`s promotion winning season of 2010/2011.
Since that infamous Play-Off match, Posh enjoyed a good season last year while Town were finally promoted via the Play-Offs. Fortunes this season have differed completely with Posh struggling at the bottom of the Championship with just six points while the Terriers are doing very well as they sit in 3rd place on 20 points, just two points off the top.
Things started to look up for Posh after they had back to back away victories over Hull City and Barnsley but back to back 1-0 defeats in games Posh should`ve at least got draws from have set the London Road team back again.
The Terriers have lost just three games this season and have an impressive record of 3 wins and a draw from their five away matches. Their only defeat away from home came in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cardiff on the opening weekend of the season. They will be looking for a third win in a row having beaten Birmingham City and Wolves.
In the League encounters between the two clubs, honours are fairly even with six wins for Posh, seven for the Terriers and four draws. Obviously the most important League encounter came in the League One Play-Off Final in May last year when Posh stuffed the believers 3-0, although they did remain “unbeaten”!
TEAM NEWS
Peterborough United
Posh boss Darren Ferguson may look to ring the changes after a second consecutive 1-0 defeat.
Darren Ferguson has a full squad to choose from with the exception of young defender Peter Grant and Dave Hibbert as he looks to ring the changes following a second successive 1-0 defeat. There is also a concern over Tommy Rowe who was withdrawn at half time on Saturday with an ankle injury.
A number of players have been bashing at the door of the first team starting XI and it could mean a first start for loanee teenage striker Saido Berahino [pictured below].
Fergie hinted at making changes in the press conference: “We have three games in a week and there may be areas of the pitch that we freshen up the team. I said after Saturday’s game that a number of players are pushing for a recall and that is still the case.
“We have back to back home games and we need to address this home form. Huddersfield are a strong side, they have some good players and are well organised.”
Should Fergie stick with his 3-5-2 formation and not revert back to the midfield diamond, Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up will be:
Olejnik
Alcock, Brisley, Knight-Percival
Bostwick, McCann
Little Ntlhe
Boyd
Berahino, Barnett
Huddersfield Town
Andy Hammill and Joel Lynch have both recovered from knee injuries and are pushing for a place in the squad. Oscar Gobern is definitely out with an ankle injury.
Since the departure of Jordan Rhodes to Blackburn Rovers, Huddersfield have bolstered their strikeforce and have a very useful pairing of James Vaughan and Jermaine Beckford who have scored 5 goals between them so far this season.
Town`s First Team Coach Glynn Snodin said at Mondays press conference: “Any back four will be aware of them. It didn`t matter who we were playing against on Saturday – if they perform like that, they are a match for anybody. We look at the opposition on DVD and in person to see their strengths and weaknesses and if our opponents do that too, they must fear our front two.
“We know Jermaine well and he scores many different types of goals – his goal on Saturday was just one type. I think both goals on Saturday were magnificent; two great crosses and two great finishes from two great players.”
HOTSHOTS
Peterborough United
4 – Lee Tomlin
3 – Emile Sinclair
3 – George Boyd
Huddersfield Town
3 – Norwood
3 – Vaughan
2 – Beckford
REFEREE
Former Premiership referee STUART ATTWELL takes charge of this match. To find out more details of the referee, click HERE.
He will be assisted by Chris Knowles and Richard Kendall.
The fourth official is Stephen Ross.
PREDICTION
It is going to be a very tough match for Posh as they host the League`s best away performing team.
Much could depend on the formation and commitment shown by the Posh players as to whether they can finally pick up their first points at home this season.
Both sides have changed completely since the Play-Off final with only about 3 players in each team remaining from that match and it is the visitors who will be on the front foot trying to exact revenge and keep themselves in the promotion race. However, Posh are always ones to turn the form book upside down so hopefully they can get their first home win of the season.
Posh to lose: 1 – 2.
UP THE POSH Follow me on Twitter: @mwl1967
Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com.
