Birmingham City -Vs- Peterborough United - Preview

Peterborough United travel to Birmingham City as the look to pick up their first points of the season, in their fourth attempt.

Birmingham City -Vs- Peterborough United
Venue: St. Andrews
Date: 1st September, 2012
Kick-off: 3pm

Grant McCann`s wonder free kick earned Posh a point in this fixture last season, Posh will be hoping to go one better this time out against Lee Clark`s Birmingham City.

The Blues welcome Posh to St. Andrews as they also look to kick start their season. They`ve picked up just one point in their first three games, and find themselves only one place above Posh in the Championship table. This will be the first time Lee Clark has faced the Posh since the playoff final, where Clark took charge of Huddersfield, and we all know what happened that day!!

TEAM NEWS

Peterborough United

Posh will now be without Paul Taylor, after he completed his sideways move to Ipswich Town before transfer deadline day. Tommy Rowe is still injured and is a few weeks away from returning to training. Dave Hibbert, as ever, won`t be involved as he continues to try and return from a long lasting injury.

New signing Kane Ferdinand also won`t be in the squad, as he didn`t complete his move to the club in time for the noon deadline set for registering players. Ferdinand has been Posh`s only deadline day signing, and if they make any more before 11pm tonight (Friday), they will also not be able to register for the match.

Danny Swanson could be pushing for a start after his recent good performances, while Nat Knight-Percival could make his league debut if Shaun Brisley doesn`t completely recover from the knock he picked up against Reading in midweek.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Daniel Kearns are all still not up to full fitness and wont feature in the match. Craig Alcock, Lee Frecklington and Gaby Zakuani will all return to the squad after being rested in midweek.

Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up could be:

Lewis

Alcock, Brisley, Zakuani, Ntlhe

Bostwick
Swanson                    McCann
Boyd

Barnett, Tomlin

Birmingham City

New full back Paul Caddis managed to sign in time to be registered to play against Posh on Saturday, but Adam Rooney went to Swindon as part of the Caddis deal, so he won`t feature.


STATS & FACTS

Both sides will be looking to win their first game of the season, but the last three games between the sides have ended in 1-1 draws.

Posh have never won a game at St. Andrews. And half of the 12 matches between these sides have ended in draws.


HOTSHOTS

Peterborough United

2 - Boyd
2 - Tomlin
1 - Bostwick
1 - Newell

Birmingham City

2 - King
2 - Zigic
2 - Lovenkrands
1 - Caldwell

PREDICTION

6 of the 12 matches between these sides have been draws, and we expect the same to happen on Saturday.

Both sides have started poorly and will be looking for a win, and may end up cancelling eachother out.

Vital Posh predicts a 2 - 2 draw.

REFEREE

Gavin WARD takes charge of this match.

Last time Ward officiated a Posh match, was away at Southampton last season, in a game Posh lost 2-1. He also sent off Posh midfielder Lee Frecklington in that match up

He will be assisted by Antony Coggins and Kevin Mattocks.

The fourth official is Ollie Yates.

UP THE POSH

Follow me on Twitter: @TommLeaa

Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com

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