Preview: Peterborough United vs. Exeter City - prediction, team news, lineups

The Posh were narrow winners at Cambridge United last time out, whilst the Grecians were forced to share the spoils with Fleetwood Town at St James Park.

Match preview

Following a highly-concerning four-game losing run in League One which threatened to seriously derail their top-six chances, Peterborough recorded a much-needed one-goal success last Saturday against Cambridge, who are still reeling after the decision of Neil Harris to rejoin Millwall as head coach.

The Posh dominated possession and created the large majority of the clear-cut chances at the Cledara Abbey Stadium but were required to be relatively patient for the contest's winning goal, with winger Ephron Mason-Clark breaching the net of U's goalkeeper Jack Stevens in the 55th minute.

Coupling last weekend's Cambridge maximum with the comfortable victory in the EFL Trophy semi-finals over Blackpool, Darren Ferguson's side enjoyed a productive end to February following a pointless start, setting up a final clash with Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley on April 7.

Focus, for now, must stay on League One matters with nine third-tier matches scheduled between now and that April trip to the capital, with the Posh currently occupying fifth place in the league table, seven points behind second-placed Derby County and just two ahead of Oxford United in seventh.

With Championship-linked Jonson Clarke-Harris falling out of favour at the Weston Homes Stadium this season, the likes of Mason-Clark, Kwame Poku and Ricky-Jade Jones are shouldering more of the attacking burden, with the trio netting 27 League One goals combined so far.

Exeter's struggles in recent weeks continued at St James Park last Saturday afternoon, when they were forced to share the spoils with a Fleetwood side who appear set for relegation to League Two in May, although for the most part it seemed as if the hosts were heading for a vital three points.

Netting his maiden goal for the Grecians since arriving during the summer transfer window from National League outfit Eastleigh, Kenya international Vincent Harper opened the scoring for the hosts in Devon, however the Cod Army levelled the scores in the second period courtesy of substitute Promise Omochere.

After dominating the ball against the basement dwellers, Exeter boss Gary Caldwell claimed that his side were not ruthless enough in front of goal as they failed to collect three points last time out, with Saturday's visitors making the net ripple once in their last three matches, earning just a single point.

A stuttering run of form - coupled with sixth-placed Stevenage bagging maximum points from their last two matches - means that the Grecians' faint hopes of reaching the playoff positions are all but over, with the Devonshire club now 19 points behind the top-six places.

With Sam Nombe, Jevani Brown and Jay Stansfield all departing from St James Park at the conclusion of last season, Exeter lost 36 League One goals between the trio and have been unable to replace such attacking firepower, with Reece Cole currently leading the side's Golden Boot race with just four league strikes.

Peterborough United League One form:

D

L

L

L

L

W

Peterborough United form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

W

W

Exeter City League One form:

L

W

W

L

L

D

Team News

Providing the game-winning assist for Mason-Clark at Cambridge last weekend, 24-year-old Joel Randall should retain his spot in the Peterborough XI for this one.

The same cannot be said for striker Malik Mothersille, though, who has the likes of Jones and Clarke-Harris pushing him hard for his place at the focal point of the attack.

Archie Collins is set to play against his former employers on Saturday afternoon, with either Jeando Fuchs or Hector Kyprianou joining to ex-Grecians youngster in the engine room.

After failing to find the winner against Fleetwood last time out, Exeter are expected to make some attacking alterations to their side, with Sonny Cox and Yanic Wildschut pushing for starts.

Zak Jules and Pierce Sweeney are assured of their roles in the Grecians' back three, although Cheick Diabate could be replaced by 29-year-old Will Aimson.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Steer; Katongo, Knight, Edwards, Burrows; Kyprianou, Collins, Poku, Randall, Mason-Clark; Jones

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Sinisalo; Sweeney, Aimson, Jules; Niskanen, Carroll, Woods, Cole, Harper, Harris, Eisa

We say: Peterborough United 2-0 Exeter City

Back-to-back away wins have allowed Peterborough to click into their playoff-clinching rhythm once again, meaning that the Posh should be confident of earning three points on Saturday.

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