A look ahead to the Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final first leg at the Kassam Stadium against Oxford United on Saturday (7.45pm).    

Peterborough United make the trip to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday evening for the first leg of the Sky Bet League One play-offs (7.45pm) with Darren Ferguson’s men looking to come away from the game with the second leg very much alive on Wednesday evening (8pm).

Posh finished fourth in the regular season with Oxford one place behind them after a final day victory at Exeter City coupled with Barnsley dropping points, meaning Des Buckingham’s men leapt a place in the final standings. 

Both sides picked up victories over each other in the league campaign with Posh running out 3-0 winners at the Weston Homes Stadium thanks to goals from Hector Kyprianou, Ricky-Jade Jones and Ryan De Havilland.

TEAM NEWS

Posh welcome back winger Kwame Poku from an ankle injury, while striker Ricky-Jade Jones is also fit after recovering from a knock sustained in the win over Fleetwood Town. Front man Jacob Wakeling is unlikely to feature in the play-offs due to an ankle injury while midfielder Jeando Fuchs remains on track for a potential return should Posh reach the final. 

Oxford are hopeful that Will Goodwin will be available for selection after being without the forward since the middle of March. Defender Sam Long missed the win over Exeter through illness, but he could return to the starting lineup for Saturday’s first leg.

Mark Harris will be given the responsibility of leading the line after scoring six goals in the final six matches of the League One season.

ONE TO WATCH

Rúben Rodrigues

After three very successful seasons with Notts County, Rúben put pen to paper to sign for the U’s in June 2023. Although born in Portugal, it was in the Netherlands that he began his footballing journey, with his first professional side being Wilhelmina Boys. He also played for Gemert, Den Bosch and Treffers before crossing the North Sea to sign for the Magpies in 2020. A stylish playmaker, he was on target in the 5-0 win over Posh last month.

FROM THE MANAGER

“I am a big fan of the play-offs and I am really looking forward to what is ahead of us. We have had a really good season, what we need to do now is make it an unforgettable season. We have watched the defeat at Oxford and gone through a few things and there are a lot of things we need to do better than we did on that day.  We have gone through all of our preparation, the lads are in a good place and we are excited about the challenge,” Ferguson said. 

TICKET NEWS

The game is a complete sell-out with no tickets available on the day. Posh were allocated around 1,500 tickets for the game which sold out quickly. 

POSH+

Match passes are available overseas priced at £10 with audio passes available worldwide priced at £5 with commentary provided by Chris Dowsett and Nilesh Patel.

HEAD TO HEAD

Posh ran out 3-0 winners over Oxford at the Weston Homes Stadium earlier in the season with Hector Kyprianou, Ricky-Jade Jones and Ryan De Havilland on target. 

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

There have been a few connections down the years including Tyrone Barnett, Alfie Potter, Jonathan Obika, Jamie Hand, Phil Bolland, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, David Oldfield, Scott Rendell, George Thorne, David Rush, Tony Spearing, Dave Langan, Ben Futcher, Kyle Vassell, Guy Whittingham and Marcus Williams.

KIT COLOURS

Posh will be in their home kit for the game. 

MATCH OFFICIAL

Lewis Smith is the match referee.