Peterborough United -Vs- Millwall - Preview

The first home game of the new season sees Kenny Jackett`s Millwall visit London Road, in what is already being seen as a relegation 6 pointer.

Peterborough United -Vs- Millwall
Venue: London Road
Date: 21st August, 2012
Kick-off: 7:45pm

The Posh suffered a 3-0 defeat in this fixture last season. They will certainly be looking to improve on this result this time around.

Posh and Millwall come into this game on the back of opening day 2-0 defeats against Leicester and Blackpool respectively, and they will both want to battle back with a win in this fixture. Both sides are expected to be involved in a relegation dogfight, and every point will count.

TEAM NEWS

Peterborough United

Posh are still without injured full back Tommy Rowe, who still faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines. Mark Little could start at right back, with Craig Alcock moving to left back, if Kgosi Nthle is dropped to the bench, after the whole defence had a shaky opening day.

Striker, Emile Sinclair, could be handed a start after Paul Taylor and Lee Tomlin put in below par performances at Leicester. If one of the two are dropped, it is likely to be Lee Tomlin, as Paul Taylor seems to be on of Darren Ferguson`s favourites, even when he performs badly. The situation of Tyrone Barnett is still unknown, but if he is fit, he is sure to feature on Tuesday.

Daniel Kearns could come back into contention if he recovers from injury, but Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is still out injured. Posh have a number of options in midfield: Danny Swanson and Grant McCann could be pushing for starts, as well as Robert Pervan, if he completes his move to London Road.

Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up could be:

Olejnik

Alcock, Zakuani, Brisley, Nthle

Bostwick
Frecklington                    Boyd
Tomlin

Taylor, Sinclair

Millwall

Defender, Jack Smith, is a doubt for the visitors after he went off injured in their opening fixture against Blackpool. Tamika Mkandawire is also injured, having undergone knee surgery. Their defensive problems don`t stop there, Paul Robinson is still recovering from a hernia operation that he underwent in the summer break.

STATS & FACTS

Posh took only 1 point off Millwall last season, losing 3-0 at home and drawing 2-2 away. Millwall were the team that were allowed to take a penalty 3 times before they scored. Joe Lewis saved the first 2 attempts, but the referee and his assistant ruled that he had stepped off his line before the kick was taken.


HOTSHOTS

Peterborough United

1 - Tomlin

1 - Boyd

1 - Newell

1 - Taylor

Millwall

1 - Batt

1 - Ward


PREDICTION

We were fantastic against Southend last week, but the complete opposite against Leicester. Darren Ferguson has had time to sit down and look at what his side need to work on to win matches in the championship this season, and we have to see Millwall as a game we can win.

Both sides will be looking for their first win of the season, and this could end up with both sides cancelling each other out.

For that reason, Vital Posh predicts a battling 2 - 2 draw.

REFEREE

Andrew MADLEY takes charge of this clash.

The last time Madley officiated a Posh match was at home to Hull in January, which ended in a 1-0 loss, after a goal by ex-posh striker Aaron Mclean. 2 yellow cards were shown in that match.

He will be assisted by Robert Ellis and Geoffrey Russell.

The fourth official is Ian Dudley.

UP THE POSH

Follow me on Twitter: @TommLeaa

Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com

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