Posh host Sunderland at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
Peterborough United entertain Sunderland at the Weston Homes Stadium in Sky Bet League One action on Saturday afternoon (3pm) looking to make it three wins from three after victories in the past seven days at Southend United and Milton Keynes Dons.
The Black Cats arrive in even better form with five wins in a row in all competitions including a 3-1 success at Premier League side Burnley on Wednesday night in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Sunderland did make seven changes for that fixture, but the squad will arrive in Cambridgeshire in good spirits.
TEAM NEWS
Posh have no fresh injury worries to contend with ahead of the game with boss Darren Ferguson tempted to name the same starting line-up that has tasted success away from home in the last week. Nathan Thompson is nearing full fitness after joining as a free agent a few weeks back. He could feature in the Leasing.com Trophy tie at Northampton on Tuesday.
Former Posh defender Jack Baldwin was one of many changes that Sunderland made in midweek and he put in a ‘terrific’ display at the heart of the Sunderland defence against Burnley. It is unlikely he will keep his place though and he has been linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light.
FROM THE GAFFER
“Sunderland are probably stronger this season than last and have been in good form, as have we, and I think it will be a game that will have goals in it. We need to focus on ourselves. We know it will be a good atmosphere inside the stadium with a big travelling support too and we are looking forward to that,” Darren Ferguson said.
FROM THE OPPOSITION
“We understand that Peterborough pose a threat and we will have to defend well as a team. Peterborough fell away a little bit last season, but when you look at the players in the squad and how they have recruited, they will be there at the end. They have had a couple of good results. It would be a good month if we can go to Peterborough and win the game,” Sunderland boss Jack Ross said.
TICKET NEWS
Tickets are on sale at www.theposhtickets.com, via the Ticketmaster hotline 0844 847 1934 (calls cost 7ppm plus your network access fee) and in person at the Weston Homes Stadium Ticket Office. Sunderland had sold around 3,000 of their 4,000 allocation at 9am on Friday. Sunderland fans have been accommodated in the Motorpoint Stand as well as the normal away area in the North Stand.
FAN ZONE
The fan zone will be open from 1pm featuring the usual inflatables, mobile bar and ticket collection point. Peter’s Burrow in the South Stand concourse will be open when the turnstiles open at 1.30pm.
BUCKET COLLECTION
The Alzheimer’s Society and the Dementia Centre in Peterborough is this weekend’s bucket collection. Please give generously.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
The match referee is Craig Hicks.