Stockportvs.Peterborough

Meanwhile, the Hatters will be hoping to return to winning ways after falling to a narrow defeat in their most recent league outing against Stevenage.

Match preview

Stockport are currently sitting in fifth place in the League One table after winning nine, drawing six and losing five of their 20 league matches.

The Hatters have experienced an underwhelming spell of results in December after they ended November with three consecutive wins in all competitions.

After beginning December with a defeat to Birmingham, Dave Challinor's side went on to claim a 2-0 home win over Exeter before their EFL Trophy journey was ended in the Round of 32 by Bradford.

Stockport returned to league action with a 2-1 defeat in Saturday's clash with Stevenage, representing their third defeat in four away league games.

Having struggled in recent road trips, the Hatters will be looking forward to returning to Edgeley Park, where they have won each of their last three home league games since suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers on November 5.

After reaching the playoffs in the last two seasons, Peterborough are finding it difficult to mount another top-six push, having taken just 24 points from their 19 league games.

As a result, Posh are sitting in 13th position and seven points adrift of sixth-placed Reading, while they will be mindful of the fact they have a five-point buffer to the relegation zone.

Darren Ferguson's side did at least claim all three points in last Saturday's home clash against Crawley Town, with Cian Hayes scoring a brace in a 4-3 victory to help end Peterborough's three-game losing run in the third tier.

Posh enjoyed another successful outing in midweek, sealing their place in the EFL Trophy last 16 with a 3-0 home win over Northampton Town, courtesy of goals from Ricky-Jade Jones, Ryan De Haviland and Abraham Odoh.

After claiming back-to-back home wins, Peterborough will head on their travels for Friday's clash against Stockport, with the visitors looking to end a run of five consecutive away league defeats.

Stockport County League One form:

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L

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Stockport County form (all competitions):

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Peterborough United League One form:

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Peterborough United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Stockport are still unable to call upon Everton loanee Tyler Onyango and former Manchester United midfielder Nick Powell.

Defender Jayden Fevrier remains unavailable for selection, having missed the last four competitive matches with a quad injury.

Louie Barry could be playing his final few games for Stockport, with Aston Villa set to recall the attacker amid Championship interest, but the 21-year-old will continue to offer one of the home's main goal threats against Peterborough, having racked up 14 goals in 20 league matches this season.

As for the visitors, Ferguson is expected to be without the services of Kwame Poku, Rio Adebisi, Bradley Ihionvien and Jed Steer.

Midfielder Chris Conn-Clarke will have to be assessed by Peterborough's medical staff after he sat out the EFL Trophy win over Northampton with concussion.

After making several changes in midweek, Ferguson could be tempted to revert back to the lineup that started Saturday's league victory against Crawley.

Stockport County possible starting lineup:

Hinchliffe; Connolly, Horsfall, Pye; Southam-Hales, Bate, Camps, Touray; Collar, Barry; Wootton

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Bilokapic; Dornelly, Katongo, Fernandez, Sparkes; Kyprianou, Collins; Hayes, Randall, Mothersille; Jones

We say: Stockport County 3-1 Peterborough United

Stockport will enter Friday's contest on the back of a fine run of home form after winning four of their last five league matches at Edgeley Park.

Written by

Ben Sully

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