High-scoring Peterborough United are set to host playoff hopefuls Mansfield Town at Weston Homes Stadium on Boxing Day in League One.
Last time out, the hosts missed out on the chance to make it three wins on the bounce when they lost 2-1 to Stockport County, while the visitors picked up all three points in a 1-0 win over Rotherham United.
Match preview
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Darren Ferguson's Peterborough are currently 16th in League One having earned 24 points from their 20 games so far.
The Posh have been experiencing one of the most mixed seasons in recent memory, a fact that is clear to see when considering that United have scored the second most goals in the division yet are closer to Crawley Town in the relegation zone than Lincoln City in the playoff spots.
It is also clear to see that as well as being one of the most threatening teams going forward, Peterborough have been exceptionally weak defensively this term, as exemplified by the fact that only bottom-placed Shrewsbury Town have conceded more than their 37 goals shipped.
With this in mind, it is also noteworthy that Ferguson's side have not kept a single clean sheet in the league this season, and this means that even the lowest-scoring teams have been capable of causing problems for Peterborough.
Additionally, while the Posh have won two of their last three games in all competitions, they have won just one of their last five in League One since their 6-1 thrashing of Cambridge United on November 9.
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On the other hand, Nigel Clough's Mansfield are 10th in the table after picking up 28 points from their 19 matches this term.
Three points behind the playoff places, the Stags will be extremely disappointed that they have failed to maintain the early-season league form that saw them win five in a row between September and October.
Over their last 10 games in League One, Town have lost six, drawn two and won two, a stretch that has caused them to fall from third to 10th since their 2-0 win over Blackpool on October 5.
However, considering that 2024-25 is their first season back in League One following their promotion, the fact that Clough's side are nine points above the relegation zone will be of great comfort to fans, and still represents genuine development.
More positively, with their win over Rotherham last time out, the Stags managed to make it two consecutive matches without defeat for the first time in almost two months, and that will give them at least a small boost in confidence ahead of their Boxing Day clash.
Team News
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Peterborough will bring midfielder Archie Collins back into the lineup after he missed the game with Stockport due to illness, though boss Ferguson has said that there are still two or three players affected by illness in the squad, and this has created some uncertainty about the starting XI this week.
Similarly, Hector Kyprianou is expected to be available on Thursday despite limping off against the Hatters with a minor foot injury.
The manager has also stated that Manchester City loanee midfielder Mahamadou Susoho, who has been recovering from a major thigh injury that required surgery, will be available in January but is not ready to contribute during the festive period.
However, top scorer Kwame Poku is out until March after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury he picked up against Burton Albion earlier this month.
As for Mansfield, former Posh goalkeeper Christy Pym, who has a long-running feud with Peterborough manager Ferguson, can be expected to start between the sticks.
In the build-up to this game, Stags boss Clough spoke about needing to stop the immense attacking threat carried by the opposition, and he is likely to task a backline featuring Jordan Bowery, Adedeji Oshilaja and Baily Cargill with doing so.
Up front, striker Lee Gregory has been absent since his side's 1-0 defeat against Wrexham in November, so expect Will Evans to lead the line once again.
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Bilokapic; Katongo, Fernandez, Nevett, Adebisi; Collins, Kyprianou; Hayes, Randall, Mothersille; Jones
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; Bowery, Oshilaja, Cargill; Hewitt, Maris, Lewis, Baccus, Blake-Tracy; Akins, Evans
We say: Peterborough United 2-1 Mansfield Town
Given Peterborough's shocking defensive record, it is highly likely that Mansfield will score on Thursday.
However, the Posh's contrastingly potent attack may prove too much for Clough's promoted side to handle, and that firepower could earn the home side all three points on Boxing Day.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
