Peterborough United play host to Bristol Rovers on Saturday afternoon aware that victory could see the club move into the League One playoff spots.

Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers head into this fixture sitting in 15th place in the standings, not helped by suffering three successive defeats.

Match preview

Although Peterborough have been far from perfect under Darren Ferguson, winning 12 of his 20 matches since the turn of the year has kept Posh in promotion contention.

Peterborough have also been reliant on faltering Derby County and Wycombe Wanderers, but they deserve praise for registering six wins in nine matches.

However, two defeats have been recorded in three contests, Ferguson witnessing his team get outclassed by second-placed Ipswich Town earlier this week.

With a trip to Barnsley to come in their final fixture, the odds are stacked against Peterborough, yet victory over Bristol Rovers would keep the pressure on the teams directly above them.

Despite eight goals being scored during a six-game period, Peterborough have failed to net in half of those fixtures, highlighting their inconsistency in that area of the pitch.

Having comfortably survived in their first year back in League One, Bristol Rovers must take a positive outlook on their campaign.

Nevertheless, Joey Barton may feel differently, with Rovers losing their most recent three matches and scoring just one goal in the process.

While succumbing to leaders Plymouth by a 2-0 scoreline having played with 10 men for 64 minutes should not necessarily be criticised, it can only have lowered the mood at the Memorial Stadium.

Still possessing a game in hand, though, Bristol Rovers still have a top-half finish in their sights, even if they remain with further tough opposition on their schedule.

Team News

With a back three proving ineffective against Ipswich, Ferguson could revert to the 4-2-3-1 formation that was used at Accrington Stanley.

That would see Joe Ward and Nathanael Ogbeta drop into the full-back roles, with Kwane Poku returning in the final third at the expense of a centre-back.

Nathan Thompson is not expected to return to contention unless Peterborough reach the playoff final, a result of the injury that he sustained versus Accrington.

Bristol Rovers will be forced into a change in midfield after Antony Evans collected two yellow cards in the defeat at Plymouth.

Sam Finley could return in the centre of the pitch, but the rest of the team could stay the same with Barton potentially wanting to see how certain squad members fare with a level playing field.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Norris; Ward, Kent, Edwards, Ogbeta; Kyprianou, Norburn; Poku, Taylor, Mason-Clark; Clarke-Harris

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Hoole, Quansah, Gibson, Gordon; Finley, Bogarde, Ward; Marquis, Coburn, Collins

We say: Peterborough United 2-1 Bristol Rovers

Barton has stressed to his squad that they are playing for their futures, a rallying call which may lead to a strong showing. However, Peterborough could just get over the line in this contest, possibly catapulting themselves into the top six ahead of the final day of the season.

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