It's been 26 years since Sheffield United last faced Peterborough United in a domestic competition; then it was the League Cup were the two sides thought out a 2-2 draw with the Cutlers going through 3-2 on aggregate. They have also already met this season with Henri Camara netting the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win.
The Blades troubles away from Bramall Lane continued as they made it six Championships fixtures on the road without victory; the last time they won outside the Steel City was at Plymouth Argyle (1-0) in early December.
They lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night with Robert Earnshaw (4 minutes) netting his 150th career goal; he prodded home following a corner and Paul Anderson's flick on; it was a night of rare opportunities for the Blades who created just two attempts on goal.
Early in the second half they saw striker Darius Henderson receive a straight red card for an off the ball incident; the former Watford forward will now be suspended for the trip to London Road as well as fixtures against Plymouth Argyle and Crystal Palace (at Selhurst Park). Welsh international Ched Evans and former Sheffield Wednesday striker Richard Cresswell will fight for his spot.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will once again be without Captain Chris Morgan (hip) and Marcel Seip (hamstring) through injury; midfielder Nick Montgomery is likely to take over the Captaincy during his absence.
Former Posh keeper Ian Bennett is likely to start this fixture on the substitute's bench; the shot stopper was signed on a free transfer from Newcastle United in March 1991 and went onto make 95 appearances until his departure to Birmingham City in December 1993.
Blades Last Line-Up (16/02/2010 vs. Nottingham Forest) -
Mark Bunn, Nyron Nosworthy, Kyle Bartley, Derek Geary, Toni Kallio, Nick Montgomery, Mark Yeates, Lee Williamson, Darius Henderson, Jamie Ward, Henri Camara. Substitutes: Ched Evans, Ian Bennett, Richard Cresswell, Jordan Stewart, Glen Little, Stephen Quinn, Jonathan Fortune.
Peterborough United gave themselves hopes of Championship survival midweek with a 3-1 home win over Ipswich Town. Posh, who are bottom of the league went behind via a Daryl Murphy (9 minutes) goal - but a debutant strike from Liam Dickinson (47) levelled the score before Lee Fecklington (63) and Craig Morgan (85) goals won the game.
Since our meeting with Peterborough in November the London Road club has changed managers twice, Mark Cooper was in charge at the Lane for his first match in charge since taking over the reins from Darren Ferguson - but things haven't ran as smoothly as they would have liked and now see Jim Gannon at the helm were he has a 50% record to date of two victories and two losses from the four games he has overseen.
The Posh has recently seen young shot stopper James McKeown called up to the Republic of Ireland U-21 side who will face Armenia on 3rd March, the keeper is likely to start on the bench.
On loan from League One outfit is Izale McLeod who had a loan spell with the Blades during the 2003-04 season, he made just one appearance (+6) in a two month loan deal from Derby County as United failed to make the play-offs.
Posh Last Kline-Up (16/02/2010 vs. Ipswich Town) - Joe
Lewis, Craig Morgan, Ryan Bennett, Lee Frecklington, Tommy Rowe, Chris Whelpdale, Josh Simpson, Jake Livermore, Liam Dickinson, George Boyd, Craig Mackail-Smith. Substitutes: Charlie Lee, Aaron Mclean, James McKeown, Sergio Raul Torres, Scott Griffiths, Sam Geohaghon, Reuben Reid.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Peterborough United 1-2 Sheffield United
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:: Statistics ::
For Head to Head statistics please click here.
Last 6 Games... Home & Away
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Head to Head Statistics... | Goals | |||||
Venue | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against |
Home | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Away | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 3 |
Total | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
* Statistics correct up to and including 01/08/2009