Under the leadership of Graham Westley, who was appointed Posh boss on 21 September 2015, the London Road club have found themselves in all too familiar territory as they hold the last 6th spot. There is of course a long way to go but a victory for the Blades and Southend fail to beat Doncaster, then it will be the Red and White Wizards who jump into the play-off pack.
But despite claiming a 3-1 win in their own back yard at the beginning of the season, beating the 'Boro' won't be an easy task who are likely to field Conor Washington who has found the net nine times so far this season. They have won three of their last six League One outings and drawn one. Their two defeats came to the hands of Blackpool and in their last fixture Walsall, both away from home and ended in a 2-0 score-line. Ironically their last three league fixtures have all ended 2-0
Walsall hit two goals in the last nine minutes of a cracking match to beat Peterborough 2-0 at the Banks's Stadium and retain their lead at the top of SkyBet League One. Wing-back Jason Demetriou hit the first after 81 minutes from a George Evans pass, the ball deflecting off Peterborough defender Miles Addison. Then Evans, on loan from Manchester City, poked in the second from close range when substitute Kieron Morris pulled the ball back to him.
Until those goals Peterborough had bossed the second half, but Walsall showed why they are going so well with their fifth successive win. Walsall almost took the lead in the fifth minute when Sam Mantom's low drive struck a post. As play switched to the other end Christopher Forrester let fly with a fierce 25-yard effort which home keeper Neil Etheridge flew to his right to beat out. Walsall lost central defender Paul Downing who limped off with an injury in the 13th minute.
Ben Alnwick blocked a cross-shot from Jordan Cook before Peterborough almost broke through in the 43rd minute. Michael Smith delivered a fine ball into the box but Conor Washington's point blank header was brilliantly tipped over by Etheridge. Demetriou and Evans struck late to settle it in Walsall's favour.
New signing Jordan Nicholson will be looking to make his debut for his new club when the Posh travel to Bramall Lane tomorrow, signed from non-league Histon last week he was an unused substitute in the clubs' last two fixtures against Chesterfield and at Walsall.
They are without defenders Gabriel Zakuani (foot) and Shaun Brisley (knee) through injury whilst midfielder Jermaine Anderson and striker Joe Gormley (both knee) remain long-term absentees.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Peterborough United 1
