Preview: Peterborough United vs. Birmingham City - prediction, team news, lineups

Championship strugglers Peterborough United will be looking to end a run of four successive league defeats when they host Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides last faced each other in February 2013, with the Blues securing a 2-0 win in the second tier at London Road.

Match preview

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Since securing promotion from League One last season, Peterborough have had a tough time adjusting to the Championship and suffered their fourth successive loss on Tuesday night, losing 3-1 away at Reading.

With the hosts two goals in front, Nathan Thompson then pulled one back for the Posh in the final 15 minutes, however the Royals restored their two-goal cushion with a late strike from Tom Dele-Bashiru, his second of the game, sealing all three points.

Darren Ferguson's men remain in 23rd place, though one victory would see them climb out of the relegation zone.

Defensive frailties have been a key reason for their poor start to the new campaign, having failed to keep a clean sheet in all eight competitive fixtures so far, conceding 21 goals in the process.

The Posh have failed to win each of their last seven meetings against Birmingham and could be in for another difficult afternoon this weekend.

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Birmingham were unable to extend their unbeaten league run to four matches as they suffered a 4-1 defeat at home against Championship leaders Fulham on Wednesday night.

Summer signing Troy Deeney came off the bench and scored a consolation penalty three minutes before the full time whistle, netting his first goal for the club.

Despite losing in midweek, Lee Bowyer can be pleased with his side's start to the new campaign, accumulating 11 points from their first seven games, which sees them sitting in 10th place, just two points behind the playoffs.

The Blues are currently unbeaten in their first three away games this season, winning against Sheffield United and Luton Town by a combined scoreline of 6-0, before claiming a 1-1 draw away at Barnsley last month.

Birmingham last suffered defeat at London Road back in 1993, and they should be confident of claiming all three points on Saturday.

Team News

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Peterborough are set to be without defender Mark Beevers who is suffering with a hamstring problem, while forward Ricky-Jade Jones is ruled out with a knee injury.

Joe Ward and Siriki Dembele are expected to provide width on the flanks once again, while Jack Marriott will likely keep his place up front alongside talisman Jonson Clarke-Harris, who has failed to hit the heights in the early stages of this campaign after scoring 31 league goals in the third tier last season.

As for Birmingham, Neil Etheridge was seen in the stands in midweek, though the goalkeeper is set to remain on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from coronavirus.

Deeney will be hoping to make his first start for the Blues, however Bowyer is expected to stick with Scott Hogan, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Tahith Chong in a three-man attack.

In fact, Bowyer could name the same starting lineup for the fifth successive league game, which would see Ivan Sunjic and Ryan Woods continue in centre-midfield ahead of Gary Gardner and Riley McGree.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Pym; Thompson, Edwards, Kent, Butler; Ward, Coventry, Norburn, Dembele; Marriott, Clarke-Harris

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Sarkic; Roberts, Dean, Pedersen; Colin, Woods, Sunjic, Bela; Chong, Jutkiewicz, Hogan

We say: Peterborough United 1-3 Birmingham City

Peterborough need to improve defensively if they are to have any chance of claiming all three points this weekend. However, they are set to face a strong Birmingham attack, who we feel will enjoy their Saturday afternoon in front of goal at London Road.