Why Portsmouth must carefully consider date for rearranged League One trip to Peterborough

That’s after the last rearranged fixture between the two sides saw the Posh dramatically end the Blues’ 2018-19 automatic promotion hopes.

On Thursday it was announced that the London Road clash – originally in place for Saturday, March 13 – was to be played at a later date in order to accommodate Pompey’s participation in their outstanding EFL Trophy final against Salford.

The trip to Wembley has taken it's place in the Pompey diary, leaving Kenny Jackett & Co to find an alternative day in an already hectic schedule.

The Blues have 22 league games still to fulfil in the 13 weeks between now and the end of the regular season.

Only five midweek dates remain available in that time, with the Tuesday night immediately after the Salford game one of those available.

However, history shows Pompey should plan carefully before setting an alternative.

Indeed, they were faced with the exact same scenario back in the spring of 2019, when their home game against the Posh needed to make way for a Wembley appearance – that time against Sunderland.

We all know how that final went, with the Blues eventually enjoying a penalty shoot-out victory over the Black Cats after an enthralling battle.

That euphoria saw them then go on to win their next four matches in the league and move to within two points of the automatics with a game in hand on their rivals.

Yet there were no extended Pompey celebrations just a month after that memorable day at the home of football, with Peterborough rocking up at Fratton Park for that rearranged game on Tuesday, April 30, and ending Fratton hopes of a top-two finish with a 3-2 win.

A double from Ivan Toney, plus Lee Tomlin’s opener, did the damage that night, leaving the hosts four points adrift of joint-leaders Luton and Barnsley with just one game remaining.

The Blues would, of course, then go on to lose their play-off semi-final against Sunderland – condemning them to another season in League One.

Peterborough themselves missed out on promotion that campaign, after finishing just outside the play-offs in seventh position.

Darren Ferguson’s side will no doubt be better placed this term, with United currently just one point behind fourth-placed Pompey in fifth.

It’s sure to mean whatever date is chosen to accommodate the fixture, it could play a key role in determining each side’s promotion destiny.

Another reason why Pompey need to tread carefully when making the call on their next trip to London Road.

Midweek dates remaining (all Tuesdays): March 16 and 30; April 13 and 27; May 4.