Form
Peterborough United finished last season in 18th, five points clear of the League One relegation places. This season marks their fourth straight year in the third tier, having been relegated from the Championship
in 2022, finishing 22nd.
The Posh have struggled so far this season and currently sit in the relegation zone in 22nd place, having picked up 16 points, the same number as Plymouth Argyle and Blackpool below them. Their recent from has been mixed, having seen three losses and two wins in their last five games.
Their last league game saw them lose 0-1 at home to promotion-chasing Stevenage, while they played in the FA Cup over the weekend, crashing out to fellow League One side Barnsley.
Reading claimed the double over Peterborough last season, winning 1-2 at the Weston Homes Stadium last November before following up with a 3-1 at the SCL in March after an own goal from Sam Hughes and goals from Harvey Knibbs and Charlie Savage.
The boss
Luke Williams: Williams took over as Peterborough boss at the end of October, replacing Darren Ferguson, whose fourth spell at the club ended with a sacking as the Posh fell to the bottom of the league.
The Londoner’s playing career was cut short before it even began as he suffered an injury at the age of 19 while in the Bristol Rovers youth setup. He took on coaching roles at Leyton Orient, West Ham United and the Brighton & Hove Albion youth team before becoming assistant manager at Swindon Town.
It was at Swindon where he got his first full-time manager job, taking on the role in January 2016 after a caretaker spell following Martin Ling’s departure. He was with the Robins for a season and a half, leaving the club following their relegation to League Two.
Williams went on to join Bristol City in a youth coach role before becoming Russell Martin’s assistant at MK Dons and then following him to Swansea City.
His managerial career resumed in 2022 when he joined Notts County, guiding the club back to the Football League in his first season, winning the National League playoffs. He went on to return to Swansea in January 2024, this time as manager, and stayed at the club for just over a year.
Since joining Peterborough, Williams has won four and lost four games, giving him a win percentage of 50%. The 44-year-old likes his sides to play attacking, possession-based football.
Squad
Peterborough lost a number of key players over the summer including defender Emmanuel Fernandez, midfielder Hector Kyprianou, wingers Malik Mothersille and Kwame Poku and forward Ricky-Jade Jones.
They have had a squad rebuild this summer, completing the signings of 16 players. Key arrivals included midfielders Brandon Khela and Declan Frith, who signed for fees from Birmingham City and FC Thun respectively. Other additions included defenders Tom Lees and Sam Hughes, midfielder Ben Woods and forwards Harry Leonard and Klaidi Lolos.
Defenders Tom O’Connor, Sam Hughes and George Nevett are all expected to miss out through injury, along with winger Cian Hayes.
Predicted lineup
Bass, Kioso, Lees, Okagbue, Mills, Collins, Khela, Odoh, Morgan, Lisbie, Leonard
Key player
Peter Kioso: Defender Kioso joined Peterborough over the summer, signing on a season-long loan from Oxford United.
He started his career in Ireland with Malahide United before signing for MK Dons youth team. His professional career started at Hartlepool United, where he spent two seasons before signing for Luton Town.
Kioso made 22 appearances for the Hatters while also spending time on loan at Bolton Wanderers, Northampton Town and MK Dons. He went on to join Rotherham United in 2022 and spent time on loan at Peterborough during the 2023/24 season.
The 26-year-old joined Oxford last June and made 33 appearances for them before moving to Peterborough for a second loan spell, this summer. Kioso is a right-back by trade who likes to get forward from the back.
One to watch
Harry Leonard: Forward Leonard joined Peterborough this September, signing from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee.
He started his career in the youth setup at Rovers, joining the club at nine years old, and made his professional debut in 2023. Leonard went on to make 36 appearances for the club, scoring five goals.
Leonard has made 16 appearances for the Posh since signing and has four goals to his name so far. The 22-year-old is a hard-working forward who holds the ball up well.
