Peterborough vs Man City: A look at the opposition ahead of FA Cup fifth round tie

We take a closer look at Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth round opponents Peterborough United ahead of Tuesday’s game.

Peterborough United Manager Grant McCann during the defeat at home to Hull City. Credit: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Manchester City travel to the Weston Homes Stadium in their FA Cup fifth round tie to take on Peterborough United on Tuesday evening.

The Sky Blues will be looking to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition for the fourth consecutive season, with them beating Fulham 4-1 in the previous stage.

As for the hosts they reached the fifth round after beating fellow Championship side Queens Park Rangers 2-0.

With that being said, let’s take a closer look at City’s opposition on Tuesday evening.

Frankie Kent of Peterborough United acknowledges the supporters at full-time. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Form

Peterborough have been in poor form coming into the game having lost five of their last six games, while drawing the other.

The Posh’s disappointing results leave them bottom of the second tier with 13 games remaining.

Manager

Grant McCann is currently in his second spell in charge of the club after replacing the recently departed Darren Ferguson on 24 February.

The Northern Irishman spent five years as a player with Peterborough between 2010 and 2015, winning the League One play-off final in 2011 and the Football League trophy three years later.

New Posh Grant McCann in a traditional pose ahead of official unveiling today. Photo: David Lowndes.

The FA Cup tie against the Sky Blues on Tuesday will be only McCann’s second game in the dugout since his return to the Weston Homes Stadium.

Key Players

Joint-top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris (on 5 goals) has been a pivotal member of the Posh’s squad since he joined them from Bristol Rovers in 2020. The striker’s 31 goals in 45 Championship games for the club last season helped guide them to promotion.

Centre-back duo Frankie Kent and Josh Knight have both made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Posh this campaign, while midfielder Jorge Grant has provided the most assists among the squad (3).

Previous record vs City

Tuesday’s tie will be only the second meeting between City and Peterborough with the first coming in the same round of the competition in 1981. The Sky Blues came away 1-0 winners on that day.

Predicted XI

McCann will be forced to make several changes to his starting XI that lost 3-0 to Hull City on Saturday due to Oliver Norburn being suspended and Callum Morton cup-tied, while Dan Butler and Jack Taylor are unavailable through injury.

Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Benda; Knight, Edwards, Kent; Ward, Grant, Brown, Burrows; Szmodics; Clarke-Harris, Marriott.