A look ahead to Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Oxford United at the Weston Homes Stadium (3pm).
Peterborough United entertain Oxford United at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm) in Sky Bet League One action with Darren Ferguson’s men looking to build on the recent performances in PE2 with Cambridge United, Burton Albion, Doncaster Rovers and Arsenal under 21s all beaten in recent weeks.
Oxford will pose a stern test though with two wins from their last two games in all competitions as well as a creditable goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers. Des Buckingham replaced Liam Manning as the Head Coach at the Kassam following Manning’s departure to Championship side Bristol City.
TEAM NEWS
Posh goalkeeper Will Blackmore remains on the sidelines, but other than that Darren Ferguson has reported a clean bill of health for his squad. Jeando Fuchs and Malik Mothersille are both in contention to be in the squad, but with everyone available, Ferguson will have some tough decisions to make.
Oxford striker Sonny Perkins was not in the squad for the U’s at Forest Green on Tuesday night, so could come back into contention. Oxford United will wait on a scan to see the full extent of the damage after Marcus Browne was forced to leave the pitch on Saturday with a hamstring injury. The winger lasted just 12 minutes on his return from injury and is now facing another spell on the sidelines
ONE TO WATCH
United signed Cameron Brannagan (pictured below) from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year deal on 11th January 2018. The midfielder had been at Anfield since the age of five and made three senior appearances for the Reds, as well as representing England at both U18 and U20 levels. He had a loan spell at Fleetwood Town in 2016/17, helping them to the League One play-offs. Cameron won the Players’ Player of the Year award for 2018/19 and at the end of the 2020/21 season signed a new contract to keep him with the U’s until 2023.
FROM THE MANAGER
“Over the years, we have always had tough games against Oxford United and I expect Saturday to be no different. Yes, they have changed their manager, but they are not too different to what they were under Liam Manning, maybe a little change when out of possession. They have some good players and recruited well in the summer, but we go into the game in good spirits. The lads are in a good place,” Darren Ferguson said.
TICKET NEWS
Tickets are available at www.theposhtickets.com and via the Weston Homes Stadium Box Office. Oxford have sold just under 1,000 tickets and will be accommodated in the Deskgo Stand as the intimated they would sell more than the normal away section of the North Stand.
POSH+
The game is available to watch on Posh+ for overseas subscribers with £10 match passes available. Audio passes are available for £5 domestically. Former Posh defender Tom Williams joins Nilesh Patel and Chris Dowsett on commentary.
HEAD TO HEAD
Joe Ward and Siriki Dembele (pictured below) were on target in a 2-0 win for Posh over Oxford back in 2020 with the game played behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions.
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
There are a few connections between the two clubs down the years with Phil Bolland, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and Alfie Potter all playing for both.
Among the others include; Steve Anthrobus, Tyrone Barnett, Jonathan Obika, David Oldfield, Scott Rendell, Tony Spearing, George Thorne and Ben Futcher.
MATCH OFFICIAL
James Linnington is the match referee.