Peterborough United -Vs- Derby County - Preview

The Rams travel to London Road in search of their 5th victory of the season, while Posh chase their fourth.

Peterborough United -Vs- Derby County
Venue: London Road
Date: 27th October, 2012
Kick-off: 3pm

The Posh won this fixture 3-2 last season after a volley from Grant McCann secured all three points for the home side. Posh will be hoping for another victory this time around as they look to move out of the drop zone.

Derby come into this game on the back of a 2-1 over basement side Ipswich Town on Tuesday night, that saw Paul Jewell`s last game in charge of the Tractor Boys. Nigel Clough`s side sit in 13th place in the Championship table and could go as high as 5th with a win.

TEAM NEWS

Peterborough United

Full back, Tommy Rowe, is rated 'doubtful` to feature against the Rams on Saturday, and Kgosi Ntlhe [pictured below], who scored his first goal in Posh colours on Tuesday, is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up. Young defender Peter Grant is out through injury, and Dave Hibbert is the only other player that will definitely not feature.

Darren Ferguson has a few options as to who to play up front, with Saido Berahino putting in a good performance in midweek, it`s likely that he`ll keep his place in the starting 11. He could choose to drop one of the defensive midfielders, Grant McCann or Michael Bostwick, to play another out and out striker up with Berahino. But it is likely that Fergie will stick with the team that beat Huddersfield, and give man of the moment George Boyd the free role that he performed so well in in Midweek against the Terriers.

Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up could be:

Olejnik

Little, Alcock, Brisley, Knight-Percival, Ntlhe

Bostwick, McCann, Tomlin
Boyd

Berahino

Derby County

Former Posh midfielder Paul Coutts [pictured below] will face a couple of his old team mates for the first time since he left the club a few years ago. He has spoken of his intentions of doing his all for his new side to get one over on Posh.

Defender, Gareth Roberts played 60 minutes for the Rams` reserves in the week and could come back into contention for their starting line-up when they face Posh on Saturday. Striker, Jamie Ward is also expected to return to the Derby squad after 4 weeks out through injury. Jeff Hendrick is also back from injury and could be included in their squad of 18, as could Mark O`Brien.

Derby will be without keeper Frankie Fielding for the fixture as he doesn`t return to training until next week, while Conor Doyle and Shaun Barker are long injury lay-offs, and Barker is out for the whole of the 2012/2013 season.


HOTSHOTS

Peterborough United

5 - Boyd
4 - Tomlin
3 - Sinclair
1 - Barnett


Derby County

5 - Robinson
4 - Ward
3 - Buxton

PREDICTION

The Posh were fantastic in midweek against Huddersfield and look full of confidence. If Fergie`s men come up with a similar performance tomorrow, Posh could well find themselves outside of the relegation zone by the end of the day.

Vital Posh predicts another 3 - 1 win, and Posh to be out of the drop zone by 5pm tomorrow.

REFEREE

Simon HOOPER takes charge of this clash.

The referee from Wiltshire has brandished 24 yellow cards and one red card in his previous 12 games. Mr Hooper has refereed Posh twice before, and Posh have won both fixtures. Most recently the 3-1 win at home against Championship winners Reading last season.

He will be assisted by Ian Cooper and Geoff Law.

The fourth official is Matthew Buonassisi.

UP THE POSH

Follow me on Twitter: @TomLea_PUFC

Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com

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