West Ham and Peterborough United meet for only the third time in the League when Posh travel to Upton Park.
The previous two occasions occurred in the 1992/1993 League Two season when the Hammers came out victors in both games. They won 3-1 at London Road in September 1992 and 2-1 at Upton Park in February 1993.
The Hammers are looking to bounce straight back to the Premiership following relegation last season and quite rightly are one of the favourites for promotion this season.
Posh are in the Championship for the second time in three seasons.
After a disastrous season last time in the Championship, Posh have made a much better start and have been unlucky not to pick up more points than they currently have.
West Ham have the highest average gate in the division so it will be a massive challenge for Posh and their travelling support of around 2,500 fans to out-sing and outplay The Hammers.
Vital Quotes:
West Ham
‘We are ticking along very nicely and undefeated with a 4-3-3 [formation]. It depends how Peterborough play. They are very attacking-minded and I think actually pack the midfield more with a diamond than a 4-4-2 so I would have to be cautious if I went with that system [4-4-2]. We will select the team and what system on Friday.’ Sam Allardyce told www.whufc.com
Posh
‘I am treating it as any other game in terms of preparation. We know the way they will play, we know we will have to defend well as a team, particularly at set-pieces as they have some big, physical players, but we also know we have to believe in our own game plan,’ Ferguson said.
West Ham United Team News:
The Hammers could have James Tomkins available after returning to training following a groin problem.
Guy Demel and Papa Bouba Diop are both expected to miss the match but David Bentley is pushing for a place in the starting XI.
Sam Baldock is looking for a first start since his move from MK Dons. He faces the team that were at one point interested in buying him.
Player to watch: Take Your Pick!
With the amount of quality West Ham have in their squad, it is virtually impossible to choose one player.
Captain Nolan is a quality player at Championship level while the forward line involving players like Cole and Carew would cause any team problems.
Peterborough United Team News:
Following a battling win over Burnley last weekend, Posh are expected to name an unchanged line-up which means a 2nd start for striker Emile Sinclair who signed recently from Macclesfield Town.
A tough choice for manager Ferguson is whether to keep an out-of-form Lee Tomlin in the starting XI ot try a new front pairing of Sinclair and Paul Taylor.
Player to watch: George Boyd
Following a recent injury picked up in the away defeat by Brighton, Boyd seemed back to his best last week and if on form, will be one of the key players for Posh.
Match Facts & Stats
West Ham
West Ham are unbeaten in six Championship games, and have 14 points.
It is their best start to a league season in eight years and currently sit in 5th place.
Their current record so far is won four, drawn two, lost one.
At home, they have won one, drawn one and lost one.
Posh
Posh are yet to win on their travels this season and currently sit in 10th place in the Championship.
They’ve lost two and drawn one on their travels while their overall stats for the season are won three, drawn one and lost three.
Despite two defeats on their travels, they have put up a good fight and with a bit more luck, could’ve turned those defeats into draws or wins.
Posh are without a victory in six away league games having alternated between draw and defeat since a 2-0 win at Dagenham on 5 April 2011.
Therefore, a draw is due if the sequence is to continue.
Match Prediction:
If Posh are on their game and battle as well as they did last weekend, they could expect to pick up a point against the Hammers.
Anything less than 100% from every player would allow West Ham to dominate the match and potentially run out easy winners.
Vital Posh would like to think Posh are up to the task and will come away with a battling draw – 1-1.
Next Fixtures:
West Ham
27-Sept West Ham v Ipswich
1-Oct Crystal Palace v West Ham
Posh
27-Sept Portsmouth v Posh
1-Oct Posh v Doncaster
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