Preview: Peterborough United vs. Derby County - prediction, team news, lineups

Peterborough are currently seventh in the table, four points behind sixth-placed Bolton Wanderers, while Derby occupy fifth position, four points ahead of their opponents in this contest.

Match preview

Darren Ferguson has won eight of his 13 matches since becoming Peterborough boss for a fourth time in early January, with the Posh on the verge of breaking into the playoff positions.

Peterborough were relegated from the Championship last season in 22nd position, so they are bidding to return to the second tier at the first time of asking.

A record of 19 wins, three draws and 15 defeats from 37 matches has seen the Posh collect 60 points, which has left them in seventh position in the table, four points behind sixth-placed Bolton.

Ferguson's team will enter this match off the back of successive league victories over Burton Albion and Lincoln City, scoring eight times in the process, while they have won three of their last four in League One.

Peterborough have actually lost their last two matches against Derby, though, including a 2-1 defeat in the reverse match between the two sides back in August.

Derby, meanwhile, were also relegated from the Championship last season in 23rd position, and they are expected to bounce straight back into the second tier for the 2023-24 campaign.

The Rams have had their problems this season, but a total of 64 points from 37 matches has left them in fifth position in the table, four points ahead of seventh-placed Peterborough.

Unless something extraordinary happens, Derby are not going to catch the top two - Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday - so all of their focus will be on ensuring that they finish in the top six.

Paul Warne's side have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, only winning one of their last four in the league, and they will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 home loss to Fleetwood Town.

Derby have picked up 24 points from their 18 away league matches this season, but they will be travelling to a Peterborough side that have won 11 of their 18 games in front of their own supporters.

Peterborough United League One form:

D

L

W

L

W

W

Derby County League One form:

L

W

D

L

W

L

Team News

Peterborough boss Ferguson is unlikely to find a reason to change a winning side, so it is expected to be the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Lincoln last weekend.

Jonson Clarke-Harris scored his 22nd league goal of the campaign in the three-goal success, and the 28-year-old will again operate at the tip of the attack on Saturday afternoon.

Ephron Mason-Clark, meanwhile, has contributed five goals in League One this term, and he is also set to feature in the final third of the field for the home side.

As for Derby, Max Bird came through the Fleetwood clash unscathed after returning to the starting XI following a groin injury, and the midfielder is expected to feature from the first whistle once again here.

Jason Knight and David McGoldrick were both involved off the bench last time out following injury problems of their own, and the pair could come into the XI for this match.

Craig Forsyth made his 300th appearance for the club last time out, meanwhile, and the experienced defender will again be in the starting side for this contest.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Norris; Thompson, Kent, Edwards, Ogbeta; Norburn, Taylor; Ward, Burrows, Mason-Clark; Clarke-Harris

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Smith, Davies, Cashin, Forsyth; Bird, Knight; Mendez-Laing, Sibley, McGoldrick; Collins

We say: Peterborough United 2-2 Derby County

This has all of the makings of a very entertaining game of football, and we are predicting goals on Saturday afternoon. Both sides are in need of the three points, but the desire not to lose could become a feature of the match, particularly in the second half, so we are backing a score draw here.

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