Peterborough v Portsmouth: team news, predicted XIs, match referee form guide and key stats

In fairness, no-one quite knows what to expect from the Blues, with Joe Gallen placed in temporary charge for the game at London Road.

Will the caretaker boss ring the changes? Will he employ a different formation?

Will Pompey spring a surprise and produce a performance that would be totally out of character at this moment in time?

And will the players respond to our very own Jordan Cross’ battle cry to the team after some less-than-impressive display of late?

So many questions that need answering.

But one thing is for sure, it’s another massive test of the Blues’ promotion credentials, irrespective of who is in charge.

Here’s our preview to the game at the Posh...

Peterborough team news

Key midfielder Sammie Szmodics is a reported doubt for the visit of Pompey.

It’s been claimed the one-time Blues target picked up an injury in training and is set to sit out tonight’s game.

That will come as a blow to the Posh, who are already without another key player in their engine room, Jack Taylor (tendon).

Ronnie Edwards and Flynn Clarke are also sidelined, with the latter out for the rest of the season with a hip injury.

Ethan Hamilton is suspended following his red card against Hull last time out.

Predicted starting XI

Christy Pym, Mark Beevers, Nathan Thompson, Frankie Kent, Dan Butler, Siriki Dembele, Reece Brown, Sammie Szmodics, Joe Ward, Louis Reed, Jonson Clarke-Harris. Subs: Daniel Gyollai, Niall Mason, Frazer Blake-Tracy, Harrison Burrows, Ricky Jade-Jones, Mo Eisa, Idris Kanu

Pompey team news

Caretaker boss Joe Gallen takes charge of Pompey for the trip to Peterborough following Kenny Jackett’s departure.

He’s was keeping his cards close to his chest when asked by The News about his plans for the game on Monday afternoon.

So it will be interesting to see whether he does his own thing and rings the changes following Jackett’s exit or stays loyal to his former boss’ blueprint.

Whatever he decides to do, he’ll have to do it without Ellis Harrison (knee) and Callum Johnson (hamstring).

John Marquis is also a doubt after he picked up an ankle injury against Salford at Wembley.

Andy Cannon, however, is available after recovering from the hamstring problem he sustained against Sunderland last week.

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, James Bolton, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Lee Brown, Ryan Williams, Andy Cannon, Lee Naylor, Michael Jacobs, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness. Subs: Lewis Ward, Charlie Daniels, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Harvey White, Ben Close, John Marquis, Jordy Hiwula.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Peterborough: 6/5

1-0 13/2, 2-0 9/1, 2-1 17/2, 3-0 20/1, 3-1 18/1, 3-2 28/1

Pompey: 23/10

1-0 8/1, 2-0 14/1, 2-1 11/1, 3-0 33/1, 3-1 25/1, 3-2 33/1

Draw: 12/5

0-0 8/1, 1-1 11/2, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 50/1

First goalscorer: Jonson Clarke-Harris (10/3), John Marquis (5/1), Mo Eisa (11/2)

Referee

James Oldham

Peterborough stats

League position: 2nd

Top scorer: Jonson Clarke-Harris (23)

Top assists: Joe Ward (10)

Most appearances: Christy Pym (38)

Pompey stats

League position: 7th

Top scorer: John Marquis (15)

Top assists: Marcus Harness (9)

Most appearances: John Marquis (41)

Form guide (all competitions)

Peterborough: P42 W23 D7 L12

Past five games

L 3-1 Hull (H) – League One

L 2-1 Burton (A) – League One

D 0-0 Oxford (A) – League One

W 2-1 Wigan (H) – League One

W 3-0 Plymouth (A) – League One

Pompey: P44 W21 D7 L16

Past five games

L 4-2 (penalties) Salford (N) – EFL Trophy final

L 2-0 Sunderland (H) – League One

L 4-1 Northampton (A) – League One

L 2-1 Doncaster Rovers (A) – League One

D 1-1 Gillingham (H) – League One

Other fixtures (7pm kick offs unless stated)

AFC Wimbledon v Wigan Athletic (6.30pm), Blackpool v Burton Albion, Charlton Athletic v Bristol Rovers, Fleetwood Town v Ipswich Town (7.45pm), Lincoln City v Gillingham, MK Dons v Plymouth Argyle, Oxford United v Doncaster Rovers.

Wednesday

Accrington v Sunderland (7pm)