Peterborough United U21 vs Birmingham City U21

Peterborough United Under 21s are back in action on Friday afternoon as they look to host Birmingham City at the Weston Homes Stadium (2pm).

Peterborough United Under 21s return to action for the second time this week, looking to bounce back from the defeat to Charlton Athletic, with the Blues up next as the games programme quickly draws to a close.

Irrespective of the results in our remaining two matches, our young boys in blue are guaranteed a top seven finish, which marks improvement on last season when Ryan Semple’s side fell eight points behind our current standing.

Birmingham are winless in their last two since beating Fleetwood Town on the coast, last falling to a 5-1 defeat to Swansea City.

Our Under 21s settled for a point at St. Andrew’s @Knighthead Park in the reverse fixture, with Will Blackmore, George Nevett and Donay O’Brien-Brady among the starters in the second city.

TEAM NEWS 

The group will be a mix of Under 18s and Under 21s, with the exception of a few trialists who will be monitored in preparation for next season.

THE OPPOSITION 

Birmingham sit ninth in the northern section, having picked up 28 points from 29 matches. Steve Spooner’s young Blues have seen eight victories, four draws and 17 defeats over the course of the term, putting them in the lower reaches of the table. The Blues have had an underwhelming campaign by their standards, sitting seven league positions worse off than last year, when they came runners-up to Sheffield United.

FROM THE MANAGEMENT  

Head of Recruitment, Analysis and PDP Coach Sam Gaughran said: "It’s the last home game of the season for the boys, and we will be looking to bounce back from the last couple of games to end the season on a high against what will be a tough opposition.”

UPDATES

Updates of the game will be available on The Posh Academy X account. 

STREAMING

Posh+ subscribers can watch the game free of charge with non-subscribers able to watch the action for £3. You can buy a match pass here

VENUE 

The fixture will take place at the Weston Homes Stadium. Admission is free for season ticket holders with admission at £3 for adults and £1 for concessions. Tickets can be gained at the Ticket Office. The Kings Power Solutions Stand is open.

The Posh Under 21s were beaten 4-2 by Birmingham City at the Weston Homes Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The Peterborough United Under 21s suffered a 4-2 defeat by Birmingham City at the Weston Homes Stadium in the penultimate fixture of the campaign with just a trip to Queens Park Rangers left on the agenda for the youngsters.

It was an entertaining encounter against the Blues with the visitors moving into a 2-0 lead despite a really positive start from the Posh.

Ma'Kel Campbell was denied by O'Sullivan on six minutes with Trialist D seeing the rebound ruled out for offside.

Campbell was denied on 12 minutes after a free-kick from a wide angle before Trialist E couldn't force home from close-range.

On 19 minutes, Birmingham City opened the scoring against the run of play with WODSKOU finding the back of the net and three minutes later it was 2-0, with WODSKOU forcing the ball home from close-range.

Trialist D saw a goal chalked off for ofside before Posh did reduce the arrears as CAMPBELL found the bottom corner after timing his run into the box well.

The Blues added a third goal as Alvaro RUIZ-RENTE nodded home from a corner kick with Posh appealing in vain that Smith had been fouled.

Campbell fired wide before TRIALIST E did grab a goal as his cross-shot found the top corner from an acute angle.

Smith did well to keep out a low strike by Isichez while Wodskou missed the chance of a hat-trick as he side-footed wide from six-yards.

ISICHEI curled home a fourth on 77 minutes, leaving Smith with no chance after cutting inside onto his right-foot.

Posh Under 21s conclude their campaign at QPR on Tuesday.

Posh: Smith, Trialist A, Trialist B, Fox (sub Sykut 46min), Sumnall, Claxton (sub Gilbert 60min), McWilliams-Marcano, Trialist C, Trialist D (sub Holley 80min), Campbell, Trialist E (sub Davies 70min). Unused sub: Westcott.