Peterborough v West Brom: Posh boys to be overawed by Albion

Peterborough undone by Preston

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson admitted his side have an issue with set-pieces after a free header from a free-kick proved decisive in a 1-0 defeat to Preston at Deepdale last weekend. Posh have already conceded goals from corners and long throws this term and the United supremo also felt his side were made to pay for a poor first-half display.

Speaking post-match, Ferguson said: "We came up here thinking this was a game we could win, but we showed no conviction or belief in that first half. It was a very disappointing result and a very disappointing first-half performance. We didn't have a shot on goal which was most unlike us. We can't switch off for a minute in this competition and we have to be take our home performances into the away games."

Peterborough have seen skipper Mark Beevers ruled out for up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury. Ferguson believes he's enough cover with Josh Knight and Ronnie Edwards available again. Jack Marriott and Sammie Szmodics could be ready to feature from the off, although Jonson Clarke-Harris is still struggling for match fitness.

West Brom dominate Rovers

West Brom boss Valerien Ismael believes Albion's attacking play is approving after the Baggies continued their excellent start to the season by beating Blackburn last weekend. An Alex Mowatt screamer along with a Matt Phillips strike saw WBA run out 2-1 winners at Ewood Park. That scoreline, though, should have been much more emphatic.

The Baggies hit the woodwork four times in the match while Karlan Grant and Callum Robinson also went close as Rovers goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski produced an outstanding display between the sticks. Overall, Albion generated 4.02 Expected Goals (xG) from 23 shots at goal and 11 on-target attempts, returns that delighted Ismael.

The West Brom manager said, "The performance was once again great, it's what we wanted from the players. I think that we controlled the game. Even under pressure, we controlled the duel. We should've scored more goals. We had 23 shots, two times crossbar, two times post, so I think we're on the way with our offensive game and I think we were strong."

Baggies odds-on favourites

Peterborough and West Brom have crossed swords just twice in league action over the past 27 years with the Baggies pocketing top honours on both occasions. Albion have only suffered a solitary reverse in their six all-time league encounters with Posh (W4-D1-L1) with the bulk of the duos 17 head-to-head contests made up of cup contests.

Peterborough 4.804/1 have earned four points from their first two home fixtures this term and Expected Points (xP) projections have Posh settled in mid-table after four rounds. However, the newly-promoted outfit are likely to meet their match on Saturday night, particularly if Darren Ferguson is unable to fix their concerning set-piece issues at the back.

Recently-relegated West Brom 1.855/6 have taken 10 points from their first four outings under Valerien Ismael - Albion's opening day 2-2 draw with Bournemouth giving away to three successive wins. The Baggies have generated the highest non-penalty Expected Goals (npxG) figure thus far and have proven a real handful from dead-ball situations too.

Albion's physicality could be key

Over 2.5 Goals has been chalked up as a 1.9110/11 shot on Saturday and has proven a profitable formula in seven of Peterborough and West Brom's combined eight Championship encounters this season. However, a more appealing play is the 1.804/5 available on Albion to score Over 1.5 Goals at London Road, a feat the visitors achieved in all four fixtures.

The visitors will look to employ their suffocating pressing tactics and high-octane style on the newcomers, whilst also piling on the pressure from set-pieces. No second-tier side has averaged a higher xG figure from set-pieces than West Brom and the Baggies superior quality and physicality is likely to prove too strong for the home side.