Match Preview: Peterborough United v Middlesbrough

27 November 2009 17:14
PETERBOROUGH Lewis Zakuani Lee Bennett Griffiths Frecklington Boyd Diagouraga Whelpdale Mclean Mackail-Smith[LNB] Lita Kitson Johnson Arca Osbourne ONeil Pogatetz Wheater St Ledger Hoyte Jones MIDDLESBROUGH[LNB] Middlesbrough subs (from): Coyne (gk), McMahon, Grounds, Riggott, Bennett, Emnes, Yeates, Digard, Bent, Franks. Peterborough subs (from): McKeown (gk), Martin, Geohaghon, Simpson, Batt, Coutts, Rowe, Green.[LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH: Gary O'Neil is a doubt for the trip. The 26-year-old is struggling with a groin strain but Gordon Strachan is hopeful to have him available after appointing him as captain in place of defender David Wheater.[LNB] Marvin Emnes' double strike for the reserves on Wednesday proved he's fully recovered from a virus and he is in contention for a recall today but Rhys Williams one match suspension forces a change at the back. The utility man notched up his fifth yellow card of the season at Nottingham Forest.[LNB] Suspensions: Williams Injuries: Taylor, Hines, Bates (all knee), Aliadiere (ankle), Folan (hamstring) Last five league games: DLLDW Leading league scorer: Johnson 8 Next game: vs QPR (A) 5/12/09[LNB] PETERBOROUGH: Mark Cooper may hand a debut to new signing 6ft 7in central defender Exodus Geohaghon as Darren Ferguson's successor continues his search for a debut victory. Charlie Lee will again play at right-back and forward George Boyd will continue as captain. The Posh manager has a fully-fit squad and is not expected to make many changes from the side that lost at Sheffield United last Saturday. He allowed fringe players Jamie Day and Ben Wright to go out on loan this week. Suspensions: None Injuries: None Last five league games: LLLWL Leading league scorer: Boyd 7 Key Player: Craig Mackail-Smith - scores almost a goal every two games.[LNB] Last season: No corresponding game League head to head: Middlesbrough 2, Peterborough 1, Draws 1 Referee: David Phillips (Chichester) G12 Y40 R1 Ave: 3.41 Last Middlesbrough game: n/a Odds: H5/2; A13/5; D12/5[LNB] It's a fact: Exodus Geohaghon captained Great Britain at the World Student Games in the summer. Comment by Paul Fraser: Surely Strachan can secure his first Boro victory at the Championship's basement club. Prediction: 1-2[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo