It may be Valentine's Day but it will be anything but a cosy atmosphere as Cardiff City entertain Peterborough United. Alex Bywater has the preview.
Peterborough team news: Loan signing Shaun Brisley is available for selection after joining on loan from Macclesfield Town. The tall centre-half has joined on a temporary basis with a view to a permanent transfer and will go straight into Darren Ferguson's squad. Elsewhere, Posh's squad should be well rested after their game with West Ham fell victim to the weather and the rest of their squad are fighting fit.
Peterborough's season so far: Currently in eighteenth place, Posh are nine points clear of the relegation zone but may well be too close to the drop zone for Boss Darren Ferguson's liking. This is mainly down to the fact that they have not won since their 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day and are currently on a difficult run of form. Their draw with Burnley last time out was an improvement after a run of four successive losses which included defeats to Brighton, Hull and Portsmouth. Posh's upcoming fixtures include clashes with fellow relegation candidates Doncaster Rovers and Bristol City and these ties may decide whether they are playing Championship football or not next season.
Last meeting: Peterborough United 4-3 Cardiff City: Posh edged a thrilling game at London Road as the crowd were treated to a seven goal thriller.Despite scoring three goals, City were outdone by Paul Taylor's late winner which snatched the win for Darren Ferguson's side.
Don Cowie had given the Bluebirds the lead but they were forced to go into the interval behind after George Boyd's close-range header and Grant McCann's free-kick. The early signs were not good for City as Posh flew out of the traps at a ground where they have not won since 1986. Cardiff responded brilliantly in the second-half though and Peter Whittingham echoed McCann with a classic set piece to bring Cardiff level before Aron Gunnarsson put City into the lead from Andrew Taylor's outstanding delivery from the left hand side.
The Icelander's goal looked to have secured the win but Posh laid siege to Cardiff's goal and were handed a lifeline when McCann's fierce strike struck Kevin McNaughton on the arm inside the area. Somewhat harshly, referee Nigel Miller pointed to the spot and McCann sent David Marshall the wrong way. A sense of injustice fuelled the City camp and things went from bad to worse for the Bluebirds. City's defence were left appealing in vain for offside but substitute Taylor took Boyd's long pass and slotted past Marshall to consign City to defeat.
Teams from last meeting at London Road on October 18, 2011:
Bluebirds: Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Hudson, Turner, Kiss (McPhail 54), Whittingham, Cowie, Gunnarsson, Earnshaw (Conway 65), Gestede (Mason 15). Subs not used: Heaton, Gerrard.
Peterborough: Jones, Little, Bennett, Zakuani, Alcock (Taylor 81), McCann, Rowe, Frecklington, Tomlin, Boyd, Sinclair. Subs not used: Lewis, Thompson, Ball.
Peterborough last time out: Burnley 1-1 Peterborough United: Peterborough's match with league leaders West Ham was called off due to the weather last weekend so they have not played since their 1-1 draw away at Burnley. Jay Rodriguez's solo goal four minutes from time denied Peterborough their first Championship win since Boxing Day and rescued a point for Eddie Howe's side. Paul Taylor had earlier put Posh ahead and David Ball came close to a second, his shot rebounding off the woodwork. Chris McCann headed over for the Clarets, who also had a penalty appeal turned down, before Rodriguez's strike. The forward's dribbling run evaded a number of defenders before he placed the ball home.
Peterborough side versus Burnley: Lewis, Little, Bennett, Zakuani, Alcock, McCann, Rowe, Frecklington (Tunnicliffe 70),Ball (Tomlin 75), Boyd, Taylor. Subs not used: Jones, Kearns, Sinclair.
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