Preview: Peterborough United vs. Bristol Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

2 days ago 9

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Peterborough United and Bristol Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Promotion-hopefuls Peterborough United will look to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they host Bristol Rovers in League One.

The hosts are winless in their last two league games and the visitors will be looking to right the wrongs of last weekend's home humbling by Wigan Athletic.

Match preview

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson applauds the fans after the game on May 8, 2024 © Imago

Peterborough come into Saturday's game on the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Lincoln City, in which Kwame Poku's second-half strike cancelled out Ben House's opener.

The Posh are now winless in their three home games thus far, having lost 2-0 on the opening day of the season to Huddersfield Town and then losing by the same score against Wrexham at the back end of August.

Their away form has been a lot more impressive to start this season though, with a pair of 2-1 wins against Exeter City and Gillingham in the league and EFL Cup respectively, and a resounding 4-1 win at Shrewsbury Town demonstrating that Peterborough are happy travellers.

Peterborough have finished in the League One playoff places in the last two seasons and it would be a huge shock if they weren't up there challenging again, although losing key defensive players over the summer like Harrison Burrows, Ronnie Edwards and Josh Knight certainly will not help their cause.

Darren Ferguson is however vastly experienced at this level and he is now in his fourth spell as manager of Peterborough, and over his various tenures he has secured four promotions at the Cambridgeshire club.

Scott Sinclair for Bristol Rovers against Wigan Athletic on September 14, 2024 © Imago

Bristol Rovers meanwhile come into this weekend's game looking to put the 4-0 defeat against Wigan well behind them, and they will also be looking to avoid an unwanted record of three consecutive league defeats having also lost away at Barnsley the previous week.

The defeat against Wigan was particularly gut-wrenching as goals from Joe Hugill, Thelo Aasgaard and Luke Chambers rounded off a miserable day for the Pirates in front of their home fans.

Manager Matt Taylor guided Bristol Rovers to a solid 15th place last season, but their away form will need to improve if they are to push for a finish in the top half this season; their last win on the road was against Cheltenham Town in April.

In terms of their summer incomings, the sale of Antony Evans to Huddersfield Town did facilitate moves for the likes of Promise Omochere and Isaac Hutchinson to come in and bolster a squad that also sold midfielder Jordan Rossiter and star striker John Marquis on free transfers.

While this could be a season of consolidation for Bristol Rovers, they do have a squad that is capable of finishing in the top half of League One if they can find more consistency in their results and improve on a defence that conceded 68 goals in 46 outings last season.

Peterborough United League One form:

Peterborough United form (all competitions):

Bristol Rovers League One form:

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

Abraham Odoh of Peterborough United vs Wrexham on August 31, 2024 © Imago

The Posh are still without long-term absentees Mahamadou Susoho, Ryan De Havilland and Rio Adebisi, with the latter being the closest to a return to action, although he is not expected back until October.

Peterborough's Player of the Month for August, Oscar Wallin made his return from injury against Lincoln City, and the Swedish defender is expected to once again partner Jadel Katongo at the back.

Moore is suspended for the hosts having been sent off in the home defeat against Wigan Athletic last weekend, with Connor Taylor likely to come into the back three and deputise in his place.

In terms of injuries, Jamie Lindsay made his return from injury last time out, so while Bristol Rovers do come into this game with a clean bill of health it remains to be seen if the manager will look to rotate after his side's hefty defeat last weekend.

Should he opt to rotate, winger and captain Scott Sinclair could be an option out wide, and Jake Garrett could drop deeper alongside Kamil Conteh should the manager look to bolster the spine of his team.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Steer; Curtis, Wallin, Katongo, Sparkes; Collins, Kyprianou; Poku, Randall, Odoh; Jones

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Griffiths; Taylor, Wilson, Mola; Thomas, Garrett, Conteh, Sousa; Sinclair, Omochere, Sotiriou

SM words green background

We say: Peterborough United 2-0 Bristol Rovers

Peterborough's home form appears to be something of an anomaly given their stellar results on the road so far this season, and considering the Posh won both of their encounters against Bristol Rovers 2-0 last season, recent history is also on their side.

While the Pirates will be hoping to bounce back after consecutive league defeats, we expect Peterborough to have too much on the day for their opponents and ascend towards the playoff places.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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