– Peterborough have gone three games without a victory
– Oxford have lost just one of their last nine matches
– Recommended bet: Draw

Peterborough are hoping to avoid a second successive elimination in a League One play-off semi-final by erasing a 1-0 deficit against Oxford at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The Posh failed to get beyond the final four in the 2023-23 campaign despite securing a 4-0 first-leg lead at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

This time it is their job to attempt a recovery mission against an Oxford side aiming to avoid play-off heartache for the third time in five seasons.

Oxford reached the final in 2019-20 but lost out 2-1 to Wycombe before they were eliminated in the semi-finals in 2020-21 after a 6-3 aggregate loss to Blackpool.

Jeando Fuchs (knee) remains unavailable but Kwame Poku is fully fit and could challenge David Ajiboye for a starting berth.

Ricky-Jade Jones has been a first choice for much of the season and is an option to replace Malik Mothersille at centre-forward.

Oxford striker Will Goodwin (leg) missed the first leg and is a doubt. Sam Long (illness) was an unused substitute at the weekend and is pushing to return.

However, Oxford have no fresh injuries and there may be a temptation for head coach Des Buckingham to select an unchanged side.

Peterborough have conceded the opening goal in five of their last six matches.

The Posh have not won any of their last three games.

All but one of Peterborough’s last 24 home games have generated at least three goals.

Oxford have lost just one of their last nine fixtures.

The Yellows have conceded just two goals in their last four away games.

Three of Oxford’s last four games have featured less than three goals.

Oxford have coped with some high pressure situations in recent weeks and they can pass another test by holding Peterborough to a draw in their play-off semi-final second leg.

The Yellows were eighth with eight league fixtures remaining and knew they would have very little room for error during the run-in.

They responded superbly, taking 17 points from a possible 24, including a 2-1 success away to in-form Exeter in what was effectively a win or bust scenario.

While Oxford have been getting stronger, Peterborough appear to have lost their way.

Darren Ferguson’s side have conceded the first goal in five of their last six games and another poor start could signal the end of their promotion dream.

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