No cure in sight for Peterborough travel sickness

Nottingham Forest v Peterborough

The Championship is notoriously competitive but thirdbottom Peterborough seem to have forgotten how to perform on their travels and could suffer a tenth away league defeat of the campaign when taking on fast-improving Nottingham Forest.

A swift return to League One is looking likely for promoted Posh, who are winless in six and four points adrift of safety.

They wasted a glorious opportunity last weekend – drawing 0-0 at home to fellow strugglers Barnsley in a dismal contest – and may be dreading getting back on the bus after losing their last three away games without scoring.

While Peterborough ponder how to get themselves out of the bottom three, Forest are looking upwards after turning their season around under Steve Cooper.

The Tricky Trees called for Cooper in late September when they sat second bottom in the table with four point from eight games.

A shade over two months into the new regime they are up to 16th and closer to the playoffs than the drop zone.

Confidence is growing and they looked a good side when holding West Brom to a 0-0 draw at the Hawthorns last Friday.

A top-six finish is not entirely out of the question and Forest can continue their progress by nudging Peterborough closer to the trap door.

Doncaster v Mansfield

League Two Mansfield delivered one of the shock results of the FA Cup first round by defeating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light and they can topple another League One side when facing struggling Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The Stags had to deal with a lot of injury problems in September and October but key men have returned to contention and their results have turned.

Nigel Clough’s side have won six of their last seven games and are eyeing up a push towards the fourth-tier playoffs as well as an extension to their FA Cup adventure.

They approach the weekend with confidence and should fancy their chances against Donny, who are having a miserable campaign and parted company with manager Richie Wellens on Thursday.

Rovers started the season with three successive defeats and have never managed to get themselves out of the drop zone.

Doncaster exited the EFL Trophy on Wednesday with a 2-0 loss away to third-tier basement boys Crewe and there is every chance of them losing a second cup contest in four days.

Portsmouth v Harrogate

Portsmouth failed to impress when scraping a 1-0 victory at home to non-league Harrow Borough in the FA Cup first round but they can deliver a much more convincing performance and result when taking on League Two Harrogate at Fratton Park.

The win against Harrow Borough came at a time when Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley was under plenty of pressure.

However, it proved to be the start of a positive spell because Cowley’s side have gone on to register six successive victories.

Portsmouth have climbed to within two points of the League One playoffs and next Tuesday’s home match with Sheffield Wednesday stands out as a key fixture.

Nevertheless, they have had a free week to prepare for FA Cup second round weekend and should be too strong for Harrogate, who are seventh in the division below.

Walsall v Swindon

Swindon have the best away record in League Two but they could bow out of the FA Cup with a loss to divisional rivals Walsall at Banks Stadium.

There has been a dip in performance as Swindon followed up last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Harrogate with a 2-1 loss at home to Colchester in the EFL Trophy.

Walsall also exited the EFL Trophy this week – losing 2-0 at League One Cambridge – but they were 1-0 winners at League Two highflyers Port Vale last month and can do the business against another promotion-chasing side.