By Steve Manning
Steve’s last Big Match Preview for 2022 …thanks Steve.
Venue: London Road Stadium (Capacity: 15,314)
Competition: EFL League One – Matchday: 23 of 46
Form: Peterborough Utd – Position: 8th
Pld: 22 W 10 D 2 L 10 gd +9 Pts: 32
Top League Scorer: Jonson Clarke-Harris – 13 goals.
Top Assist Provider: Joe Ward – 6 assists.
Previous result: 26/12/2022 – Charlton Athletic 1 Peterborough Utd 1 (League One)
Form: MK Dons – Position: 21st
Pld: 22 W 6 D 3 L 13 gd -9 Pts: 21
Top League Scorer: Will Grigg & Bradley Johnson – 5 goals each.
Top Assist Provider: Dawson Devoy – 3 assists.
Previous result: 26/12/2022 – MK Dons 1 Forest Green Rovers 0 (League One)
Head to head record:
Posh wins: 14 Drawn: 5 Dons wins: 10 Posh goals: 45 Dons goals: 36
Last Meeting: 01/10/2022 – MK Dons 2 Peterborough Utd 3 (League One)
Forest Green Rovers in Review:
The Dons began life under their new Head Coach Mark Jackson with a much needed 1-0 win over Ian Burchnall’s FGR at StadiumMK.
The goal arrived in the 58th minute of a tight bottom of the table scrap, courtesy of Scottish wingback Daniel Harvie.
Noticeably different was the change from Manning’s reliance on a front three, 3-4-3 to a 3-4-1-2.
The change worked, and although neither Grigg, or Eisa got themselves on the scoresheet their running game kept FGR on their toes. Dons dominated possession and showed more grit – maybe in an effort to impress Jackson – with a determination to win the ball back at every opportunity.
Josh McEachran was the man who supplied Harvie with a sublime ball into his path, And Dons’ number 21 did not waste the chance to fire his side ahead.
The win lifted Jackson’s side to 21st in the standings, and just a point behind Accrington Stanley who are currently in 20th
Next up Peterborough away, The Posh are in indifferent form, and drew against Charlton on Boxing Day.
How Posh could line up: Grant McCann prefers a 3-4-2-1 formation often spearheaded by the prolific Jonson-Clark Harris in attack, his 13 goals sees him sit top of the pile going into this game
Possible Posh starting XI: Will Blackmore; Frankie Kent, Ronnie Edwards, Kelland Watts; Joe Ward, Jeando Fuchs, Jack Taylor, Harrison Burrows; Kwame Poku, Ephron Mason-Clark; Jonson Clarke-Harris.
How Dons could line-up:
Mark Jackson could stick with the 3-4-1-2, that saw him claim victory over FGR on Boxing Day. Some rotation could be on the cards with Plymouth away just 48 hours later.
Possible Dons starting XI: Jamie Cumming; Jack Tucker, Warren O’Hora, Zak Jules; Tennai Watson, Brad Johnson, Josh McEachran, Daniel Harvie; Matt Smith; Mo Eisa,Will Grigg.
One’s to Watch?
Jonson Clarke-Harris – Posh: JCH is the man to stop in Peterborough’s attack, his prowess in front of goal has kept his side in the promotion picture. And his effect on this side was evident as Posh beat Dons at the SMK earlier this season.
Matt Smith – The Dons: looked at home in the attacking midfield role when coming on against FGR, could easily step into that role if Holland is rested – offers a different option for Jackson’s new revolution.
Score Prediction:
Peterborough United 1 MK Dons 1
This game has a draw written all over it, two attacking possession based side going at it should cancel eachother out.
Match Odds supplied by Oddschecker:
Peterborough win: 5/6 Draw: 5/2 Dons win: 13/4
Game to finish 1-1: 11/2
Thanks for reading this preview ahead of the trip to London Road, as this is the last preview of 2022 I’ll wish you a happy new year
Enjoy the game.
Until Next Year, SM.
