A look ahead to Saturday’s huge fixture with Ipswich Town at the Weston Homes Stadium (3pm).
Peterborough United welcome automatic promotion-chasers Ipswich Town to the Weston Homes Stadium in Sky Bet League One action on Saturday afternoon (3pm) looking to build on the midweek victory at Accrington Stanley, which moved the club into fifth place in the table.
Ipswich are the most in-form team in the division and moved into a commanding position in the table with a 2-1 victory over Port Vale in midweek. The Tractor Boys have arguably the strongest squad at this level and will be looking to complete the double over Posh following a home win at Portman Road earlier in the campaign.
TEAM NEWS
Joe Ward and Nathan Thompson are not expected to be involved in the squad with both players suffering foot injuries, the latter of which was sustained in the win at Accrington Stanley. Ricky-Jade Jones remains side-lined with a hamstring injury.
Ipswich could freshen up their attack with George Hirst and Freddie Ladapo fighting for the slot just ahead of Conor Chaplin in attack. Kayden Jackson, who featured against Posh earlier in the season, could also be pushing for a start.
ONE TO WATCH
Conor Chaplin (pictured below) is the man in form. He netted a hat-trick in the huge 6-0 win over Charlton Athletic and the former Portsmouth man is currently in the running for the League One Golden Boot, chasing down Jonson Clarke-Harris. Chaplin might be diminutive in stature, but he is an attacking player who has it all, he is a proven finisher, but he is also talented at bringing others into play from a deeper role.
FROM THE GAFFER
“I think most people would have expected Ipswich to be there or thereabouts when it comes to the top end of this division because they have a very talented squad and plenty of options, but Kieran McKenna has done a wonderful job there. They are in great form, but so are we and that is what makes Saturday’s game a really exciting one. I think these are the games that everyone looks forward too, there shouldn’t be any extra motivation required, it is two good footballing sides playing an important fixture in front of a big crowd,” Darren Ferguson said.
TICKET NEWS
Tickets are selling incredibly fast, so if you have yet to purchase a ticket, do so now at www.theposhtickets.com or via the Weston Homes Stadium Box Office. Ipswich have sold out their entire allocation and will be accommodated in the Deskgo Stand and in the away section of the North Stand.
POSH+
Match passes are available to purchase for £10 for overseas subscribers with audio passes available worldwide for £2.50.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Dominic Ball (pictured below left) spent a short loan spell at Posh and was an unused substitute for the Tractor Boys in their last fixture against Port Vale.
In terms of other players who have played for both clubs, there are quite a few;
Fred Barber, Tyrone Barnett, Jimmy Bullard (pictured below centre), Dai Cornell, Hayden Coulson, Toumani Diagouraga, Gwion Edwards (pictured below right), Scott Houghton, Jake Livermore, Scott Loach, Andy Legg, Richard Logan, Jack Marriott, Scott Mitchell, David Norris, Danny Sonner, Adam Tanner, Paul Taylor, Stuart Taylor, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Josh Yoreworth.
CLASSIC CONTEST
Lee Tomlin (pictured below) scored a hat-trick in a huge 7-1 win over Ipswich Town back in 2011 with Paul Taylor and Grant McCann also on target.
KIT COLOURS
Posh will be wearing the blue home kit for the fixture.
MATCH COVERAGE
If you can’t make the game, you can follow all of the action in a number of ways.
- Live match updates on our official Twitter feed @theposh.
- Behind the scenes coverage and updates on our official Instagram story.
- Keep up to date with minute-by-minute updates on our Live Match Centre here.
- Download the official Peterborough United app to get all of the action direct to your smartphone.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
The match referee is Gavin Ward.