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Preview: Peterborough United vs. Accrington Stanley - prediction, team news, lineups

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

Peterborough United take on Accrington Stanley in League One on Saturday, with the hosts requiring a victory to guarantee remaining in the automatic promotion places.

Accrington, meanwhile, could move level on points with sixth-placed Blackpool with a victory depending on results elsewhere.


Match preview

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony pictured in January 2020© Reuters

Having been cruelly denied a playoff position via a points-per-game ruling after last season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone connected to Peterborough is ultra determined to gain promotion to the Championship this season.

After an inconsistent opening to the campaign, perhaps in part due to the sale of Ivan Toney to Brentford, it did not take long for Darren Ferguson's side to gather serious momentum, taking 22 points from 24 games during one superb run earlier in the campaign and more recently winning six matches in a row.

However, the Posh's positive results have ground to a halt since, winning only one of their last six games to allow Sunderland to move within two points of them with a game in hand.

Ferguson's side squandered a two-goal lead at struggling Rochdale last weekend before losing 3-1 to Blackpool in midweek, with concerns of falling short of promotion once again beginning to grow.

They are unlikely to find matters easier against Accrington on Saturday, but will be buoyed by having won 13 of their 17 home league games so far this season.

The players shake hands before the match between Accrington and Ipswich on October 20, 2019© Reuters

Having survived relegation in their first two seasons in the third tier in the club's entire history, Accrington have performed above expectations this season, generally occupying a top-half position throughout the campaign.

Indeed, John Coleman has worked wonders at the club since taking over as manager in September 2014, gradually improving the quality of the playing staff and club facilities on the way to winning League Two in the 2017-18 season.

To even have Accrington fans in the position of dreaming of promotion to the Championship is an incredible achievement for a club of their size, although that dream has become a less realistic one in recent weeks, having only won three of their last 13 league games.

However, one of those victories came last weekend against struggling Wigan Athletic, keeping Accrington within three points of the playoff positions.

Of the sides above them, only Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool have played one fewer game, too, with Charlton Athletic, Gillingham and Oxford United all having played more, so completing a league double Peterborough on Saturday really could make the unthinkable become thinkable once again.

Peterborough United League One form:
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L

Accrington Stanley League One form:
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W


Team News

Siriki Dembele in action for Peterborough United in November 2020© Reuters

Siriki Dembele is thought to be nursing a slight muscle problem, but started both games in the past week so should be fit to do so once again, while Harrison Burrows and Sammie Szmodics are both fit for selection for Peterborough once again.

Jack Taylor (hamstring) and Ronnie Edwards (thigh) are both likely to miss out.

Accrington, meanwhile, are likely to travel without Colby Bishop, Joe Pritchard and Seamus Conneely due to injury.

Dion Charles is not available for selection either due to being on international duty with Northern Ireland, so Paul Smyth should come into the attack.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Pym; Kent, Thompson, Beevers; Ward, Brown, Hamilton, Butler; Szmodics, Dembele; Clarke-Harris

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Savin; Nottingham, Hughes, Burgess; Rodgers, Barclay, Morgan, Butcher, Maguire; Smyth, McConville


SM words green background

We say: Peterborough United 2-0 Accrington Stanley

We expect Peterborough to put their recent drop in form aside on Saturday with a comfortable home win.

Accrington always battle hard and we would expect no different, but the Posh's home record is superb this campaign and they have the quality to put their opponents to the sword.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


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Who will win Saturday's League One clash between Peterborough and Accrington?

Peterborough United
Draw
Accrington Stanley
Peterborough United
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Accrington Stanley
0.0%
0
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Hull City372161062303269
2Peterborough UnitedPeterborough362061058372166
3Sunderland351713554272764
4Lincoln CityLincoln361881054381662
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster34176115344957
6Blackpool341681042301256
7Charlton AthleticCharlton371511115450456
8Portsmouth351671251381355
9Gillingham37166155349454
10Ipswich TownIpswich35166133937254
11Oxford UnitedOxford Utd36158134942753
12Accrington StanleyAccrington35158124944553
13MK Dons37149145452251
14Crewe AlexandraCrewe36149134446-251
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood371311134132950
16Plymouth ArgylePlymouth37139154758-1148
17Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury341113103939046
18Burton Albion36118174661-1541
19Swindon TownSwindon37114224465-2137
20Northampton TownNorthampton3799193253-2136
21Bristol Rovers3797213659-2334
22Wigan AthleticWigan3697203964-2534
23AFC Wimbledon35712163559-2433
24Rochdale36711184667-2132

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