Forget about Manchester City taking on Real Madrid in the Champions League – the big upcoming games are taking place in League One. This weekend sees a couple of massive clashes in the race for promotion to the Championship, including a second versus third contest between Derby and Bolton. Meanwhile, table-topping Pompey make the trip to London Road to face an in-form Peterborough side who occupy fourth spot (3pm kick-off). Darren Ferguson’s men looked to have slipped out of the reckoning following a five-match winless run that included four successive February losses. But they have since stormed back from the setback with five victories in a row that leaves them four points behind the second-placed Rams with a game in hand. The most recent three-point haul came on Wednesday night, as Harrison Burrows, Jadel Katongo and Kwame Poku all struck in a 3-1 home triumph over Stevenage. There is also the excitement of a Wembley trip to look forward to for the Posh, who face Wycombe in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy final next month. Pompey have already faced Peterborough twice at Fratton Park this season – with those meetings taking place in the space of a few days last summer. The visitors won on penalties in the second round of the Carabao Cup, but the Blues hit back to win 3-1 in the league, courtesy of goals from Colby Bishop, Abu Kamara and Regan Poole. TEAM NEWS Callum Lang and Anthony Scully are both doubts for Pompey with minor ankle problems, but Jack Sparkes should be available following a similar issue. Ben Stevenson is back in full training having recovered from a knee injury, although Saturday’s game is likely to come too soon for the midfielder. Tino Anjorin (hamstring), Terry Devlin (shoulder), Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom McIntyre (ankle), Joe Morrell (knee), Connor Ogilvie (knee), Regan Poole (knee) and Alex Robertson (hamstring) are still sidelined. Hector Kyprianou is suspended for Peterborough after collecting his 10th booking of the season earlier in the week. Will Blackmore (hip) and Jeando Fuchs (knee) are both long-term absentees, while James Dornelly (ankle) and Jacob Wakeling (ankle) are doubts. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Will Norris ahead of the game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 14 wins Peterborough: 13 wins 9 draws On the road Pompey: 4 wins Peterborough: 6 wins 6 draws OFFICIALS Referee: Alex Chilowicz Assistants: Christopher Husband and Grant Taylor Fourth Official: Steven Plane TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation, so please do not travel to the game if you do not already have a ticket. Supporters should be aware that the M25 will be closed this weekend between junctions 10 and 11, so please plan your journey accordingly. MATCH COVERAGE Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday. Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with replays and accompanying commentary. Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device. We will have key updates throughout the game on Twitter and a detailed blog via the match centre. There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).
Peterborough United Starting Line Up:- 21 Jed Steer GK 2 Jadel Katongo DF 3 Harrison Burrows (C) DF 5 Josh Knight DF 4 Ronnie Edwards DF 27 Archie Collins MF 11 Kwame Poku MF 8 Ryan De Havilland MF 14 Joel Randall MF 10 Ephron Mason-Clark MF 18 Malik Mothersille FW Substitutes: 1 Nicholas Bilokapic 6 Romoney Crichlow-Noble 20 Emmanuel Fernandez 16 David Ajiboye 9 Jonson Clarke-Harris 17 Ricky-Jade Jones 15 Michael Olakigbe
Zak Swanson replaces right back Joe Rafferty who drops to the bench, Colby Bishop in for Kusini Yengi who likewise starts on the bench, and fit again Jack Sparkes comes in at left back, with winger Paddy Lane out of the squad for some reason. Recent signing Lee Evans is on the bench for the first time.
Abu Kamara and Colby Bishop combine to find Myles Peart-Harris, but he curls the ball over from the edge of the box. 11 minutes.
Peterborough switch play from right to left and Mason-Clark cuts into the box before hitting a fierce shot that smashes against the underside of the bar and bounces to safety. 23 minutes.
Abu Kamara is fouled on the right and Marlon Pack's free-kick is met by Colby Bishop, but his header is saved by Steer. 25 minutes.
A good delivery from Jack Sparkes is only partially cleared and Myles Peart-Harris sends the ball back in. Connor Shaughnessy tries to turn the ball home, but Burrows makes the block and a follow-up from Colby Bishop is blocked by Edwards. 45 + 2 minutes.
Half time whistle. 0-0. Home team have been marginally the better side so far. Losing Christian Saydee is bad news for us, but having Kusini Yengi on in attack is good for Pompey, with Colby Bishop playing just behind him. Should be an interesting second half !
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Peterborough .........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 60% Away 40% Shots: Home 8 Away 8 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 2 Corners: Home 3 Away 2 Fouls: Home 8 Away 6
Myles Peart-Harris right footed shot from the right side of the box goes wide. Assisted by Owen Moxon. 56 minutes.
