Sky Bet League One match preview between the Lilywhites and the Posh.
Preston North End -Vs- Peterborough United
Venue: Deepdale
Date: Tuesday, 25th March, 2014
Kick-off: 19:45pm
The Lilywhites are having a much improved season compared to last season when they finished in 14th place and they are all but mathematically assured of at least a play-off place. They sit in 5th place after dropping down one place after losing to Swindon Town on Saturday and being leapfrogged by Rotherham United who took all three points away from London Road.
They are 10 points off an automatic promotion place so it`s very unlikely that they`ll grab one of the two top spots but they are eleven points ahead of Posh in 6th place and 14 points ahead of 7th placed MK Dons.
HEAD TO HEAD
There have been 19 League matches between these two sides with Posh having the better of these with 9 wins compared to Preston`s 4 wins!
There have been nine League matches played at Deepdale with results being very even. There have been three wins for each team and three draws.
The last time Posh travelled to Preston was in the 2009/10 season when two first half goals were enough to win the tie for the home side.
The corresponding fixture in October finished in a 2-0 Posh win thanks to first half goals from Tyrone Barnett and Grant McCann
TEAM NEWS
Preston North End
The Lilywhites suffered their first defeat in 13 matches at the weekend when going down 1-0 at Swindon Town. Manager Simon Grayson may look to make some changes to freshen things up with Stuart Beavon pushing hard for a starting place after making a good impression when coming on from the substitutes bench.
Grayson has no injury worries to contend with so all the first team squad are pushing for a start against their play-off rivals.
Peterborough United
On-loan defender Ben Nugent had a poor game on Saturday and will be lucky to keep his place although Darren Ferguson is likely to stick with the Cardiff player as he gives the defence a good shape. If he decides to drop Nugent to the bench, Fergie could go for Michael Bostwick who dropped into the centre back role on Saturday. Bostwick will of course be desperate not to pick up a yellow card as it would mean missing the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy final at Wembley on Sunday.
Another player to have a poor game was another loanee; Bournemouth`s Josh McQuoid. Danny Swanson replaced McQuoid at half-time and is expected to start the match this time around.
Captain Tommy Rowe picked up a knock in the defeat against Rotherham United on Saturday and is struggling to be fit. It could give new loanee Lloyd Isgrove the chance to make his full debut for Posh after making a cameo appearance in the last two matches. The Southampton youngster would be battling with Grant McCann and Joe Newell should Rowe not make it.
Striker Kyle Vassell could return to the substitutes bench after recovering from a broken bone in his foot.
Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up will be:
HOTSHOTS
Lilywhite’s
20 – Joe Garner;
6 – Tom Clarke;
5 – Kevin Davies;
5 – Paul Gallagher
Posh
27 – Britt Assombalonga;
16 – Nicky Ajose;
7 – Tommy Rowe;
4 – Grant McCann
REFEREE
MARK BROWN will take charge of the match.
To find out more about the official CLICK HERE.
He will be assisted by Kevin Mulraine and Tony Peart.
The fourth official is Scott Oldham.
PREDICTION
Both sides will be desperate to get back to winning ways after going down to 1-0 defeats at the weekend with both goals coming from the penalty spot!
It will be a very tough match for Posh against a team that have only lost five League matches this season; one of which was against Posh earlier in the season.
The Lilywhites have drawn 15 of their 38 League matches this season and although Posh have only drawn four times, it could be a very tight affair which ends in a draw.
Posh to draw: 0 – 0.
Don`t forget you can predict the Lilywhites v Posh match. Vote for what you think will be the score HERE. Voting closes noon tomorrow [Tuesday, 25th March].
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