Peterborough United play their first home match of the season on Saturday when they host rivals MK Dons.
Peterborough United -Vs- MK Dons
Venue: London Road
Date: 16th August, 2014
Kick-off: 15:00pm
Posh finally get back to League action at London Road looking to add another three points to the board after last weekends opening win at Rochdale.
MK Dons also won their opening match of the season at home to Gillingham but they did go 2-0 behind before coming back to win 4-2. They followed that up with a 3-1 Capital One Cup success. The start they`ve had is like an old-style Posh when there is plenty of action and plenty of goals.
HEAD TO HEAD
There have been 12 League encounters between these two sides in the past with Posh winning six of them. There have also been three draws while the Dons have only won three times and sadly today could be number four!
Posh did the double over the Dons last season winning 2-0 at stadium:mk thanks to a brace of goals from that man, Britt Assombalonga.
The match at London Road was a controversial one after two Posh players were sent off even though there was some simulation and acting in an attempt to get a fellow professional sent off. I suppose that`s what you get from a Chelsea player though!!
Nat Knight-Percival was first to receive his marching orders after only seven minutes thanks to the acting of Patrick Bamford. Posh had had the better of the game up until that point but they then had to produce a backs-against-the-wall display which is exactly what they did. Despite being a man down, Posh took the lead from the penalty spot via Lee Tomlin`s boot.
Posh had to play on the counter attack and it was one of these attacks that they doubled their lead thanks to the dangerous Britt Assombalonga. Izale McLeod pulled a goal back 16 minutes from time and if that wasn`t a boost for MK, the sending off of Mark Little just two minutes later certainly was.
Playing against nine men gave MK plenty of space to play the ball about and stretch Posh but they failed dismally as Posh fully deserved the victory.
TEAM NEWS
Peterborough United
Posh suffered a defensive nightmare last weekend as both first choice central defenders picked up injuries which will rule them out for at least four weeks. Jack Baldwin, who had already suffered a broken nose in the match, damaged his knee ligaments while Gaby Zakuani suffered a hamstring injury.
Michael Bostwick and Ricardo Santos got the nod to replace the pair in the match at Portsmouth although they both struggled. Shaun Brisley, despite being on the transfer list, is hoping to take one of their places against MK.
Jon Taylor is expected to be fit after missing the midweek defeat at Pompey and he will bring more energy to the midfield. Young loanee Kenny McEvoy will drop back down to the bench.
There have been some criticism by a section of Posh fans over the lack of creativity in midfield but it is expected captain Jack Payne and 18-year-old Jermaine Anderson will keep their place in the middle.
With no new players having been brought in, Conor Washington and Kyle Vassell will remain as the front pairing even though they don`t look like scoring many goals this season!
Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up will be:
MK Dons
Karl Robinson has been delighted with the start his side has made and will be hoping they can make it three wins from three. He has a selection headache but a good one as he has a fully fit squad with the exception of Samir Carruthers who is still recovering from a thigh strain.
Robinson made a number of changes for their midweek win over AFC Wimbledon and some of those will have impressed the manager and could force their way into the team to play Posh.
HOTSHOTS
Posh
1 – Kyle Vassell
Dons
2 – Own Goals;
2 – Kyle McFadzean;
1 – Daniel Powell;
1 – Benik Afobe;
1 – Will Grigg
REFEREE
Former Premiership referee Keith Stroud takes charge of the Posh v Dons match. It will be his first match of the season in the middle after taking charge of 38 matches last season. To find out more details about Stroud, click HERE.
He will be assisted by Nicholas Cooper and Neil Davies.
The fourth official is Stephen Wade.
PREDICTION
It will be a very difficult match with Posh suffering from a number of injuries and with a lack of potency going forward. Posh have done very well down the years against MK but they may get the better of Posh!
Posh to lose: 1 – 2.
What do you think the score will be?
You can predict the Posh v MK match HERE.
UP THE POSH
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Photo courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
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