Burton Albion play host to Peterborough United on New Year's Day increasingly desperate to get three points on the board.
At a time when the Brewers sit bottom of the League One table, Peterborough make the trip to the Pirelli Stadium just four points above the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Although Gary Bowyer is only in the early stages of his reign at Burton, there are already signs that he could instigate a turnaround in the second half of the season.
Burton only went down 2-0 at leaders Birmingham City courtesy of a penalty and an own goal ahead of making the trip to fellow promotion contender Huddersfield Town.
A 13th-minute Charlie Webster goal put the visitors on the brink of a huge win at the John Smith's Stadium, only for the Terriers to net an 88th-minute leveller.
While Burton would have taken that result before kickoff, it ultimately felt like two points dropped as they remain nine points adrift of safety.
The Staffordshire outfit return to familiar territory with just one win and five points to their name from 11 matches, losing the last four.
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Meanwhile, Darren Ferguson is no stranger to fighting to keep his job at Peterborough and he faces another such battle ahead of the turn of the year.
Posh have lost seven of their most recent nine fixtures in League One to drop into relegation contention, now possessing the worst defensive record in the division.
Losing 3-1 at home to Barnsley last time out has left Peterborough having conceded 43 goals from their 22 matches and with no clean sheet all season.
Despite this game being viewed as the perfect opportunity to get back on track, Ferguson may be at the point of no return if Peterborough suffer a seventh successive away defeat.
Team News
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Burton will have to make do without Terence Vancooten after he was sent off for two yellow cards against Huddersfield.
Bowyer must decide whether to replace the defender with another centre-back or switch to a four, allowing for a wide player to come into the team.
Dylan Williams and Tomas Kalinauskas are both options having been introduced as substitutes last time out, while Ciaran Gilligan is an alternative if Bowyer switches to a diamond. Danilo Orsi will also hope to keep his place in attack.
Although Peterborough have Harley Mills serving a ban for a red card versus Barnsley, he had previously been introduced as a substitute.
George Nevett is also suspended after a previous dismissal, but Sam Curtis and Cian Hayes are options at right-back and further down the flank.
Abraham Odoh could also be recalled in the final third, depending on what formation Ferguson goes with.
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Godwin-Malife, Sweeney, Sraha, Armer; Webster, Gilligan Watt, Chauke; Burrell, Orsi
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Bilokapic; Curtis, Wallin, Fernandez, Sparkes; Kyprianou, Collins, Havilland; Odoh; Jones, Mothersille
We say: Burton Albion 1-3 Peterborough United
With both teams out of form, there is a feeling that anything can happen in this contest. Nevertheless, we can only back the visitors through their extra quality in attack at a time when Burton will still be frustrated with their missed opportunity against Huddersfield.
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Darren Plant
