Watford v Peterborough United – Preview
Peterborough United will be looking to win three away matches in a row when they travel south to face Watford.
Watford -Vs- Peterborough United
Venue: Vicarage Road
Date: 20th October, 2012
Kick-off: 3:00pm
We`re back after the International break and it`s Family Day at Watford with cheap tickets. The match is going to be watched by a bumper crowd with less than 200 tickets remaining in the home areas while Posh are expected to take over 1,500 fans.
Watford sit comfortably in 14th place in the Championship having won four out of ten matches so far. However, only one of those wins has come at home which was a 2-0 win against Birmingham City. Their last outing at home finished in a 2-1 defeat by Middlesbrough. All their home games bar their solo win have been tight affairs and this match could be yet another close match.
Despite a nightmare start to the season, Posh have won their last two away matches at previously unbeaten teams Hull City and Barnsley. They then suffered an undeserved narrow defeat at home to Nottingham Forest but all the signs are that Darren Ferguson has finally found the formation to suit his team this season. Posh could move off the bottom of the Championship if they win (or draw should Ipswich fail to get any points at Hull).
In the League encounters between these two sides, Posh come out on top having won 14 of the 28 fixtures with Watford winning just 8 times. Last season`s fixture ended in a 3-2 victory for Watford
This match could mark 100 occasions for different reasons.
The first goal scored in this match will be the 100th goal in all competitions between the two teams. Should Posh lose, it`ll be their 100th defeat in the second tier of English football! If Grant McCann plays any part of the match, it`ll be his 100th appearance for Posh.
TEAM NEWS
Watford
Watford have been transformed over the summer following their takeover and there have been signs that good times are just around the corner. Inevitably, it will take time for the team to gel, especially with all the new recruits, but it also won`t help the team when so many different players are selected. So far this season, 28 players have pulled on the Watford shirt!!!
Watford could be without defenders Piccoli Neuton and Nyron Nosworthy for this match but welcome back Fernando Forestieri after serving a one match ban.
Influential forward Matej Vidra has had his red card recinded so will play against Posh.
Hornets manager Gianfranco Zola has put his players on an intense work schedule during the international break in a hope to kick-start their woeful home record this season but he will be treating Posh with respect as he told the official Hornets website: “Their story is similar to ours. They changed their system and won two games away from home. We`ll treat them with respect, that`s for sure.”
Peterborough United
Posh boss Darren Ferguson has a full squad to choose from with the exception of young defender Peter Grant, who sustained an injury in the recent reserve match, and Dave Hibbert who is still building up his match fitness following his very long lay-off.
With back-to-back away victories and a narrow defeat at home, Fergie is expected to continue with the 3-5-2 formation that has served him well in the last three matches.
He did hint during this week`s press conference that loanee Saido Berahino [pictured below] is pushing for a starting place: “Saido is a very good player who could fit into any system we try. He can link up play with the ball at his feet or he can run in behind.
“He`s a first-team squad member at a Premier League side so his ability can be taken for granted and he is certainly knocking on our door for a start.
“We are lucky to have a good variety of striker at the club. Lee Tomlin and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing are also pushing for a start.”
Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up will be:
Olejnik
Alcock, Brisley, Knight-Percival
Bostwick, Ferdinand
Little Rowe
Boyd
Sinclair, Barnett
HOTSHOTS
Watford
4 – Vydra
3 – Abdi
2 – Deeney
Peterborough United
4 – Lee Tomlin
3 – Emile Sinclair
3 – George Boyd
REFEREE
GEOFF ELTRINGHAM takes charge of his first ever Watford match.
To find out details of how he has performed this season, click HERE.
He will be assisted by Dean Treleaven and Dan Robathan.
The fourth official is John Hopkins.
PREDICTION
Posh should be in a confident mood after their last two away performances but Watford are keen to display their away form at home.
With both sides expected to line-up with the same 3-5-2 formation, it could be a very tight match with little between the two teams. This match could see Posh finally get a goalless draw after going 131 games since their last goalless draw.
Posh to draw: 0 – 0.
UP THE POSH
Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com.