Peterborough vs Bristol Rovers Predictions

• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in seven of Bristol Rovers’ last nine games.
• Peterborough have the worst defensive record in the Championship, shipping 44 goals this season.
• Only four clubs in League Two, meanwhile, have conceded more than Bristol Rovers this term.

Goals likely when struggling defences meet

Championship strugglers Peterborough have shipped more goals than any other second-tier outfit this season, conceding 44 goals in 23 league outings this term. Having lost 4-0 to League One side Plymouth Argyle in a Carabao Cup tie back in August, the Posh will be aiming to avoid another shock when they face Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Barton’s team have a poor defensive record themselves; only four teams have conceded more goals in League Two this season, all of whom have played more games than Rovers. When adjusted for goals conceded per 90 minutes, only the fourth-tier’s bottom two have worse defensive records.

The visitors have, despite their defensive woes, managed two wins in their last three games, beating Sutton 2-1 and Rochdale 4-2. They’ve seen both teams net in eight of their last nine, scoring 18 goals and shipping 15 during that run.

Back goals at London Road

Backing over 2.5 goals to be scored in this meeting between porous defences looks a smart play for Saturday, with Peterborough’s run of five losses in their last seven potentially enough to turn punters away from the win markets.

Despite their poor form, however, the hosts have been defeated just once in their last five outings at London Road, by promotion contenders Fulham. Therefore, backing Peterborough, ranked 44 places above their visitors in the English football pyramid, for a 3-1 win, looks a decent correct score prediction.