Peterborough United welcome local rivals Cambridge United to the Weston Homes Stadium for the 51st instalment of the Cambridgeshire derby on Saturday.

This is already the second meeting between the clubs this season after their EFL Trophy clash in September, which the Posh won 2-0 here.

Match preview

In a derby where Cambridge had endured a rotten run, they finally ended a 33-year wait for a win over Peterborough by beating them at the Abbey Stadium late last season.

Peterborough have remained dominant here though, and that 2-0 success earlier this season continued an impressive unbeaten home run in this fixture.

Nevertheless, they will enter the match on a bit of a downer, after the Posh saw their 13-game unbeaten run ended at Wigan Athletic in midweek.

A late goal from Callum McManaman condemned Posh to a 2-1 defeat at the DW Stadium, as they met the Latics at the worst possible time, given that win extended their recent run to six wins from seven.

No side had beaten Peterborough since leaders Portsmouth managed to do so at Fratton Park in early September, so there is no need to panic, as Darren Ferguson's side have picked up 19 points from their last 10.

They remain in the playoff places, only four points adrift of the automatic spots having also only lost once at home in 13 games here since April.

That suggests Cambridge have it all to do to win at the ground of their local rivals, something they have not done since April 1990.

Three wins in just over a week means they can take extra confidence into this one though, as it proceeded a 10-game winless streak.

Cambridge's win over seventh-tier Bracknell Town was anything but convincing though, as a full-strength side only narrowly progressed in that FA Cup first round tie, winning 2-1.

The visitors find themselves marooned in mid-table with 20 points from their opening 16 games, but they have not conceded a goal in almost six hours of league action.

Three consecutive clean sheets helped Cambridge to five points against Portsmouth, Carlisle United and Wycombe Wanderers over the past couple of weeks.

Team News

Ferguson could reintroduce Jonson Clarke-Harris to Peterborough's starting XI after benching the striker for four straight games.

Ricky-Jade Jones has been the preferred option in attack, but he struggled to make much of an impact at Wigan in midweek.

Another error from goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic has seen some call for backup Fynn Talley to come into the side for a league debut, but the Aussie may keep his place given how much of a big call it would be to swap the number one for such a huge game.

Cambridge boss Mark Bonner will likely revert to the side which beat Bracknell last weekend, after making 11 changes for their EFL Trophy win in midweek.

Jordan Cousins picked up an injury in the FA Cup tie last week, but even though it is not serious, it is unlikely he will feature so soon here.

Bonner has confirmed he hopes to have Gassan Ahadme back for this one though, after the Moroccan missed the clash with Bracknell, but fellow attacker Elias Kachunga and Harrison Dunk are both confirmed absentees ahead of this local derby.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Bilokapic; Kioso, Knight, Edwards, Burrows; Kyprianou, Katongo, Poku; Ajiboye, Clarke-Harris, Mason-Clarke

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; L Bennett, Morrison, R Bennett, Andrew; Digby, Thomas, May; Brophy, Okenabirhie, Kaikai

We say: Peterborough United 1-0 Cambridge United

Entertainment has been thin on the ground in Cambridge's matches this season, as 12 of their 16 games in League One have seen two goals or fewer scored.

In an intense local derby, it is unlikely to produce many goals either, but a narrow win for promotion chasing Peterborough is the most likely outcome.


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