Relegation battling Peterborough United welcome play-off chasing Middlesbrough to Weston Homes Stadium in a huge Championship clash.
If Barnsley lose elsewhere, victory would see Peterborough climb to 22nd as they continue to chase survival and secure their Championship status.
Middlesbrough meanwhile can go as high as fifth with a win if Sheffield United and Blackburn slip up elsewhere.
Team News
Goalkeeper, Steven Benda is ruled out for Peterborough after suffering a finger injury in training which will keep him out for four weeks.
Ricky-Jade Jones (shoulder), Jonson Clarke-Harris (concussion/leg), Kyle Barker, Ronnie Edwards (both Coronavirus) and Oliver Norburn (knee) are all unlikely to feature unless declared match-fit.
Nathan Thompson, Joel Randall (both muscle) and Dan Butler (ankle) remain absent.
Middlesbrough could welcome Riley McGree back from a calf injury which has kept him out in recent weeks.
Dael Fry and Paddy McNair are also in contention after recovering from unspecified injuries suffered in their FA Cup exit against Chelsea.
Martin Payero (ankle), Sammy Ameobi and Darnell Fisher (both knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Peterborough are winless in their last nine meetings against Middlesbrough across all competitions (D4, L5).
- Middlesbrough have lost just two of their last eight visits to Peterborough in all competitions (W2, D4, L2).
- Both teams have scored in three of their last four meetings at Weston Homes Stadium.
- Five of Jonson Clarke-Harris’ nine league goals for Peterborough this season have been scored at home.
- Two of Boro’s last three away goals were scored by Folarin Balogun, with both of his goals coming in 62nd minute against Sheffield United and Birmingham City (W1, L1).
Prediction
With a tough run-in and a battle against relegation, Peterborough certainly need to replicate their comeback win over QPR and cut out their defensive errors if they’re to put a winning run together which will be crucial to their chances of survival.
Middlesbrough meanwhile were outclassed by Chelsea in their last outing but can take positives from how they were able to defensively frustrate Chelsea throughout the game, as well as put the Blues under pressure despite lacking the finishing quality needed to get at least one goal.
Chris Wilder however has now had a fortnight to reset the mindset of his Boro players ready for this run-in given how tight the play-off race is looking, yet Peterborough will be a tough team to beat given the renewed morale within the hosts.
I however fancy Boro to get the win here if they are at their best especially with Balogun returning with fresh confidence from international duty, although Grant McCann’s Posh should look to try and get a goal to give themselves some belief for coming matches.
Prediction: Peterborough 1-2 Middlesbrough
Result: Peterborough 0-4 Middlesbrough
Leave a Reply