On Saturday afternoon, Peterborough United and Stoke City will meet, knowing that the match-winner will have a huge opportunity to move up the table with kickoff at 6 pm.
It has been a sobering season for Stoke City supporters. Just two wins in 14 Championship fixtures mean that the Potters are 12 points off the top six while on an abysmal seven-match winless run in the second tier of English football.
Manager Michael O’Neill may be nearing the point of no return with his current contract up in the summer. Failure to defeat relegation-threatened Rotherham United could seal his fate.
Lewis Baker has scored five goals in 11 appearances since joining Stoke City from Chelsea in January. His latest strike earned Stoke a late draw at Barnsley on Tuesday night, but all it may have done is delay the inevitable with the Potters now on the brink of having to go back to the drawing board.
Peterborough United are not yet at the stage where they appointed Grant McCann as their new manager, but the replacement for Darren Ferguson knows that only wins can do going forward. This means that Posh cannot afford to get too carried away with their impressive point away at promotion contenders Bournemouth, a share of the spoils only reducing the deficit to Reading to seven points.
Peterborough United vs Stoke City Head to Head
Both sides have one game against each other, with hosts taking one win while visitors are winless. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Bournemouth 1-1 Peterborough
- Peterborough 0-2 Man City
- Peterborough 0-3 Hull City
- Fulham 2-1 Peterborough
- Derby County 1-0 Peterborough
Away
- Barnsley 1-1 Stoke
- Stoke City 0-1 Blackpool
- Crystal Palace 2-1 Stoke City
- Bournemouth 2-1 Stoke City
- Stoke City 1-2 Luton
Peterborough Team News
McCann will consider selecting the same XI against Peterborough after their performance against Bournemouth. If McCann wants a boost in energy, Sammie Szmodics, Ricky-Jade Jones, and Joe Taylor could be alternatives.
Stoke City Team News
Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Tyrese Campbell and Steven Fletcher all have a place on the pitch in the final third, with Jordan Thompson possibly dropping out of midfield and Morgan Fox available after suspension and possibly playing at centre-back or as a left wing-back. Ben Wilmot could be called back into the squad.
Prediction and Odds
Stoke has reached a point in their season when they are free from pressure, which should be reflected in the performance.
- Stoke City Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Over 2.5
