POSH PREVIEW: How Peterborough United will get promoted this season

After Saturday’s battling 1-0 win at Chesterfield, Posh are three points and two places from the play-offs and 12 points and six places off the automatic promotion spots.

Posh currently have 44 points and sit in eighth place. The average final points tally for teams finishing second (the last automatic promotion place) in League One over the last 10 years is 87.4

The average points tally for teams finishing sixth (the final play-off place) in League One over the last 10 years is 73.9.

Posh have 17 matches left in which to bridge the gap.

Here’s how the Peterborough Telegraph believes they will do it...

February 13: v BRADFORD CITY (home)

Posh always beat these opponents so bank those three points.

Predicted score Posh win 2-0.

Posh points tally: 47

February 20: v MILLWALL (away).

Tough game, but Posh have improved defensively so they can claim a point.

Predicted score: Draw 1-1

Posh points tally: 48

February 23: v OLDHAM (home).

Posh are usually useless on Tuesdays. They could be useless and still beat these opponents.

Predicted score: Posh win 1-0.

Posh points tally: 51

February 27: v SWINDON (home)

Swindon are a sorry team compared to last season. A brittle side who should be easy pickings.

Predicted score: Posh win 3-0.

Posh points tally: 54

March 1 v BURY (away)

The first Tuesday away game of the season against a team who looked very good at the ABAX. Low crowd, little atmosphere, tough to get a result.

Predicted score: Bury win 2-1.

Posh points tally: 54

March 5 v WIGAN (away)

Two tough away games in a week and the second one against the team I believe will win the league.

Predicted score: Wigan to win 2-0.

Posh points tally: 54

March 12 v PORT VALE (home)

Rugged opponents, but Posh should have a little too much quality, especially in a home game.

Predicted score: Posh to win 2-1.

Posh points tally: 57

March 19 v DONCASTER (away)

Darren Ferguson won’t want his team to lose twice to Posh in a season. He’ll have them fired up.

Predicted score: Draw 2-2.

Posh points tally: 58

March 25 v COVENTRY (home)

Coventry have the hoodoo over Posh in recent seasons. Should be a good game for live TV viewers though.

Predicted score: Coventry win 2-1.

Posh points tally: 58

March 28 v FLEETWOOD (away)

Horrible trip over the Easter weekend. A large Posh squad should be able to overcome tiredness and get the win they will need.

Predicted score: Posh win 1-0.

Posh points tally: 61

April 2 v CREWE (home)

Nothing less than a win will do and it should be easy enough against a team who might well be relegated by now.

Predicted score: Posh win 4-1.

Posh points tally: 64

April 9 v ROCHDALE (home)

Another fixture that Posh normally win. Dale are not to be under-estimated, but it should be a home banker.

Predicted score: Posh win 3-1.

Posh points tally: 67

April 16 v COLCHESTER (away)

Unless they’ve improve remarkably over the last couple of months, Colchester could be doomed to League Two when Posh visit.

Predicted score: Posh win 3-0.

Posh points tally: 70

April 19 v BARNSLEY (away)

Currently the division’s in-form team. A tough game anyway, but it’s also on a Tuesday so Posh will struggle.

Predicted score: Barnsley win 2-1.

Posh points tally: 70

April 23 v SCUNTHORPE (home)

Posh have wiped the floor with Scunny once already this season. This will be tighter, but Posh could still prevail.

Predicted score: Posh win 2-1

Posh points tally: 73

April 30 v SHREWSBURY (away)

Posh found it hard work against ‘The Shrews’ at home, but if they need to win at the New Meadow, they surely will.

Predicted score: Posh win 1-0.

Posh points tally: 76

May 8 v BLACKPOOL (home)

Good fixture for Posh to finish with. Pool will be in mid-table with nothing to play for.

Predicted score: Posh to win 2-0.

FINAL POSH POINTS TALLY: 79

That should be enough for Posh to reach the play-offs.

And as long as Wigan have finished in the top two, there won’t be anyone to worry Posh unduly.