Peterborough United -Vs- Barnsley - Preview

The Posh take on Barnsley on New Year`s Day as they look to regain their form after Saturday`s defeat.

Peterborough United -Vs- Barnsley
Venue:London Road
Date: 1st January, 2013
Kick-off: 3pm

The Posh will be looking to kick start 2013 with a win, and regain their winning form as they enter the most important stage of the season. A defeat at Ashton Gate on Saturday was less than ideal for Fergie`s men and they will be itching to set the record straight against managerless Barnsley

Posh`s winning run ended on Saturday after a 4-2 defeat away at Derek McInnes` Bristol City, in a game that saw Lee Tomlin see red. Paul Anderson gave Bristol City the lead before Grant McCann levelled from the spot. But 2 goals by former Posh target, Sam Baldock, and a rare Steven McManus goal gave the hosts a 4-1 lead, before Dwight Gayle continued his good scoring form with a goal that saw the game end 4-2.

Barnsley travel to London Road without a manager after sacking Keith Hill this week. Hill`s sacking came following a 3-1 defeat at home to also managerless Blackburn. The Tykes went 2-0 down in that game after goals by Joshua King and Reuben Rochina, before Stephen Dawson pulled one back for the home side. But former Huddersfield striker, Jordan Rhodes got his 12th goal for the club in the last minute to seal Barnsley, and their manager`s fate.

In this fixture last season, it was the visitors who ran out victorious in a typically entertaining, and high scoring game at London Road. The game ended 4-3 to the Tykes. George Boyd, Ryan Bennett and Lee Frecklington goals were not enough for the Posh, as Jim O`Brien, Jacob Butterfield, Ricardo Vaz Te and Craig Davies struck to give Barnsley a memorable victory.

TEAM NEWS

Peterborough United

Dwight Gayle will keep his place in the side after scoring another goal in Posh`s 4-2 defeat at Bristol City on Saturday. However, his partner in crime, Lee Tomlin, will be missing after the red mist descended and the red card was shown, following an elbow by Tomlin on Greg Cunningham, who went down rather easily… So Danny Swanson (below) will start for the Posh in Tomlin`s place.

Darren Ferguson may also make other changes after the disappointing defeat at Ashton Gate on Saturday. All of the substitutes, Danny Swanson, Kane Ferdinand and Shaun Brisley put in decent displays when they came on in Bristol, and could be in line for starts against Barnsley. Ferdinand (below) could start in place of Grant McCann, and Brisley may take Nat Knight-Percival`s place at centre back.

Daniel Kearns is again expected to leave the club either on loan or on a permanent basis this time, and is likely to be left out of the squad to face Barnsley. This would mean there will again be a place amongst the subs for young striker Jaanai Gordon, who signed a professional contract a few weeks ago.

Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up could be:

Olejnik

Little, Bostwick, Zakuani, Brisley, Rowe

Newell, Ferdinand, Boyd
Swanson

Gayle

Barnsley

Barnsley will be without striker Marcus Tudgay (below) for the trip to Posh, after he fractured his Clavicle in Saturday`s match against Blackburn Rovers. The injury was sustained following a clash with Blackburn stopper Jake Kean. The forward was subsequently taken to hospital for scans. Tudgay has since ended his loan spell at the club and returns to Nottingham Forest, where his injuries will be treated.

Marlon Harewood is the man that may replace Tudgay up front for Barnsley, while midfielder David Perkins could also feature for the Tykes at London Road.

HOTSHOTS

Peterborough United

8 - Tomlin
7 - Gayle
6 - Boyd
3 - Bostwick

Barnsley

9 - Davies
4 - Dawson
3 - Mellis
3 - Tudgay

PREDICTION

The Posh won 3 games in a row prior to their loss in Bristol on Saturday, and will be looking to rediscover their winning form against Barnsley. The changes Darren Ferguson makes could refresh the Posh side with lots of energy coming in should Danny Swanson and Kane Ferdinand start.

Barnsley travel to London Road in poor form, and find themselves propping up the Championship table. Keith Hill was sacked by the board after their last game, and confidence is low in the Tykes camp. Having said that, both sides will be looking to kick start their 2013 as both sides battle for Championship survival.

Vital Posh predicts a well-earned 3 - 1 win for the Posh.


REFEREE

Darren DRYSDALE takes charge of Posh for the second time this season.

The referee from Lincolnshire has refereed Posh once already this season, the 2-1 defeat away at Sheffield Wednesday was the last time. There were 2 yellow cards in that game. He has officiated Posh 3 times before and they have never won, losing 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday, and at home to Doncaster last season, and a 1-1 draw at home to Colchester back in 2011.

He will be assisted by Carl Fitch and Ryan Atkin.

The fourth official is Mark Jones.

UP THE POSH

Follow me on Twitter: @TomLea_

Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com

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