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

Bournemouth will be aiming to keep hold of top spot in the Championship when they make the trip to lowly Peterborough United on Wednesday evening.

The Cherries enter the midweek round of action two points clear of West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City, while Peterborough are just one place outside of the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Bournemouth were much-fancied to earn promotion back to the Premier League this term, and they have made a positive start to life under Scott Parker.

The Cherries are without defeat in their opening nine games and have won the last four of those, most recently seeing off Luton Town 2-1 at the weekend.

Philip Billing and Dominic Solanke struck in the first half for Parker's men, with both of those goals assisted by Ryan Christie, before Lloyd Kelly put into his own net.

While Bournemouth have not quite been perfect, having dropped points against West Brom, Blackpool and Hull City, they are the only side yet to trail for a single minute.

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Peterborough face a daunting task at Weston Homes Stadium on Wednesday, then, as they aim to avoid defeat for just the fourth time in what will be their 10th game of the season.

United have lost five of their last six matches, the exception being a 3-0 win against Birmingham City last time out at home.

That was followed up by a 3-0 reverse at the hands of Coventry, though, and Darren Ferguson's side are now just two points above the relegation zone.

The 69 shots Peterborough have managed this term is at least 15 fewer than any other side, meanwhile, a statistic the Posh will need to improve if they are to shock Bournemouth.

Team News

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Mark Beevers and Jack Marriott remain Peterborough's two confirmed absentees for Wednesday's match.

Ferguson brought on Kwame Poku for Joe Ward at half time against Coventry, but the former is expected to get the nod here.

Conor Coventry may come into the XI, however, with Jack Taylor's place in the side most in doubt.

As for Bournemouth, Parker revealed this week that long-term absentee Lewis Cook is closing in on a return to action, but this game will come too soon for him and Junior Stanislas.

The Cherries named an unchanged lineup between the games with Cardiff City and Luton, and that may remain the case here given the outcome of those matches.

Stanislas seems certain to lead the attack, having been directly involved in 30 goals in 49 league games since the start of last season. That includes six goals and one assist in nine games this term.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Cornell; Thompson, Kent, Edwards, Butler; Coventry, Norburn; Ward, Grant, Dembele; Clarke-Harris

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Smith, Cahill, Kelly, Zemura; Pearson, Billing, Lerma; Christie, Solanke, Anthony

We say: Peterborough United 1-3 Bournemouth

These sides shared six goals in a thrilling draw when they last met in April 2011.

Bournemouth have spent five years in the Premier League since then, of course, and a return to the top flight is their aim this campaign.

On the basis of their recent form, and Peterborough's inability to get wins on the board, we cannot see anything other than a routine away win here.