Match preview
© Reuters
Peterborough maintained their fine run of results with a 3-0 victory over Arsenal Under-21s in the second round of the English Football League Trophy on Tuesday, which followed a 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup.

The last time Darren Ferguson’s side played a league match was the 2-2 draw against Stevenage on November 28, leaving them in fifth place with 10 wins, five draws, four defeats and 35 points after 19 matches.
Peterborough have actually been victorious in seven of their last 13 league matches, while they have lost just once – away to Wigan Athletic in November – since the start of September.
After being demoted from the Championship in 2021–22, the Posh went on to finish sixth in League One last season, losing a thrilling playoff semifinal match to Sheffield Wednesday, who went on to defeat Barnsley in the final at the end of May.
Peterborough and Oxford settled for a goalless draw when the two sides last locked horns at London Road in April, but the reverse fixture ended in a 2-1 win for the Posh.
Oxford were also in EFL Trophy action on Tuesday, recording a 1-0 victory over Forest Green, which secured their spot in the next round of the competition.
Des Buckingham’s side also won 2-0 against Grimsby in the FA Cup on December 2, though they are winless in their last two in League One, including a goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers last time out.
Oxford have won 11, drawn three and lost four of their 18 league matches this season to collect 36 points, which has left them in third place in the third tier of English football.

The U’s have been great on the road this season, winning six and losing three of nine away matches in the league; however, they were beaten by Cheltenham Town on their last trip.

Peterborough United League One form:

Peterborough United form (all competitions):

Oxford United League One form:

Oxford United form (all competitions):

Advert – content below:
Team News
Peterborough boss Ferguson could name the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Doncaster in the FA Cup on December 2.
As expected, a number of squad players and youngsters were involved against Arsenal in the EFL Trophy earlier this week, but the big-hitters will be back for this contest.
Kwame Poku and Ephron Mason-Clark have both scored seven times in the league during the 2023-24 campaign, and the pair will again feature in attacking areas for the hosts this weekend.
The visitors will be without top scorer Greg Leigh, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury.
Mark Harris is expected to lead the line once more, while Ruben Rodrigues should start in the supporting role.Peterborough United possible starting lineup:Bilokapic; Kioso, Knight, Edwards, Burrows; Kyprianou, Collins; Poku, Randall, Mason-Clarke; Jones
Oxford United possible starting lineup:Beadle; Stevens, Moore, Thorniley, Brown; McGuane, Brannagan; Mills, Rodrigues, Murphy; Harris

We say: Peterborough United 1-1 Oxford United
Peterborough have not lost to Oxford in their last six competitive meetings, but the visitors are different this season. The home side have been great in front of their fans, while Oxford have been solid on the road as well. We predict a close match with the score level at the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data

ID:530842:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12690:Previews by emailClick here to get Sports Mole’s daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+

Brentford Frank has confirmed Bryan Mbeumo is set for a spell on the sidelines with a “bad” ankle injury.
The Cameroon international picked up an injury in Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
Mbeumo, who opened the scoring from the penalty spot, was forced off in the 40th minute after he rolled his ankle in an attempt to defend against Pascal Gross.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s away meeting with Sheffield United, Frank revealed that Mbeumo will be out for “weeks”.
“It is bad,” Frank told reporters at Thursday’s press conference. “He’ll have a scan later, but we don’t know the exact number of weeks he will be out.
© Reuters
“He will definitely not play on Saturday, and he will be out for weeks. We will know more in the next couple of days.”

“[Bryan] must be number two after Ivan Toney in terms of goals and assists, which is key. His work rate for the team is incredible; you don’t see many wingers who work so hard and mean so much.
“He’s become the key man – ‘give me the ball, I’ll take this’. Who will that man be now? We’ll find out in the next weeks.”
Mbeumo is Brentford’s top scorer this season with seven Premier League goals, helping fill the void left by Toney, who is serving an eight-month betting ban.
Unfortunately for the Bees, the forward has been added to a lengthy injury list, which includes Rico Henry, Kristoffer Ajer, Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Nathan Collins and Kevin Schade.
© Reuters
Despite having to contend with a number of injuries, Frank is trying to remain “positive” ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bramall Lane.

“Football is such a marginal game,” the Brentford boss added. “Inside of the post, outside of the post, deflection – there are so many things that you can’t control.
“And another thing is injuries. We need to do everything we can to recover well, assess and get players back, but there’s also just bad luck in it. Bryan’s injury is a clear one – it’s bad luck. He got caught, got pushed and rolled his ankle. It’s very frustrating, but I’m a positive guy and we’ll find a solution.”
Brentford were provided with a much-needed boost in midweek after Mikkel Damsgaard returned from injury to play the final 20 minutes against the Seagulls.
Frank has also stated that a late decision will be made on Mathias Jensen’s availability for Saturday’s contest, with the midfielder closing in on a return from a three-game injury absence.
ID:530855:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5600:No Data Analysis info

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+

Match preview
© Reuters
Kilmarnock picked up three points in midweek after defeating Aberdeen by a goal to nil, but they had to be patient to achieve that as David Watson found the back of the net in the 92nd minute.

The ability to push until the very end of the game is a positive trait for the team, and that is something that will be important this weekend when they face the current league leaders.
Killie have lacked consistency in the first half of the campaign which is reflected by them sitting in midtable, but a positive run throughout winter has the potential of pushing them up the division.
A win on Sunday could see them climb as high as third place if other results go in their favour, which should provide enough momentum for the squad.
However, they will need to put together a stronger performance than the last time they faced Celtic in the league as that fixture led to the Hoops picking up a 3-1 win.
© Reuters
Brendan Rodgers will be expecting to see the same level of quality from his team that they displayed in that match and throughout the entire campaign to maintain their undefeated start to the season.
Celtic have yet to be beaten in their first 16 matches in the Scottish Premiership which has allowed them to create an eight-point gap over their closest challengers.

The Hoops reacted well to losing in the Champions League group stage, following it up with consecutive wins in the league, the latest of which took place in midweek.
Celtic dominated against Hibernian by picking up a 4-1 victory as Luis Palma and Matt O’Riley got on the scoresheet while Oh Hyeon-gyu bagged a brace.
The attacking display is just a taste of what the team has been delivering throughout the entire season, with no team in the division having scored more goals than them, showcasing the threat they will provide on Sunday.

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

Celtic form (all competitions):

Advert – content below:
Team News
© Reuters
It is unlikely any defensive changes will be made to the Kilmarnock starting XI coming off the back of a clean sheet as they prepare to face the strongest attacking team in the division.
Kyle Magennis and Innes Cameron are both on the sidelines at the moment due to injuries, and it is expected that Kilmarnock will be without their services once again.
Hyunjun Yang was dropped out of the matchday squad completely in midweek by Rodgers, and it remains to be seen whether he will be brought back in this weekend.
Oh did manage to make an impression with his opportunity though after finding the back of the net twice, and he will be expected to keep his place because of that.
That is a positive situation for Rodgers considering he remains without Reo Hatate as he is on the shelf with his hamstring strain.
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:Dennis; Mayo, Deas, Findlay; Armstrong, Watson, Lyons, Donnelly, Ndaba; Watkins, Vassell
Celtic possible starting lineup:Hart; A Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; O’Riley, McGregor, Turnbull; M Johnston, Palma, Oh

We say: Kilmarnock 0-2 Celtic
Kilmarnock might not have been consistent this season, but they have managed to provide upsets and prove to be stubborn opposition throughout the campaign.
While that will lead to the hosts providing a competitive game, the quality that Celtic possess should be enough to see them through here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data

ID:530854:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12308:Previews by emailClick here to get Sports Mole’s daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+