Scunthorpe vs Peterborough Predictions

After a whirlwind game, where they scored five goals and conceded three, Scunthorpe were involved in another high-scorer last time out, though this time they ended up on the wrong side of the score-line. Having lost by three goals to two away at Luton last weekend, Stuart McCall’s men will be looking to regain the winning thread when they welcome Peterborough to Glanford Park on Saturday afternoon.

It cannot be denied that Stuart McCall has improved things at Scunthorpe since taking over; the Iron are now far more competitive, they’re offering a lot more going forward, but they continue to struggle at the back. Having conceded five goals in their last two matches, regaining an element of defensive solidity is likely to be high on the list of priorities for the boss.

In terms of performances at home since McCall took charge, Scunthorpe have acquitted themselves well. Saturday’s hosts have got on the front foot and created plenty of opportunities, while they’ve had no problem getting the ball in the net, scoring nine goals in three matches. Such scoring form bodes well ahead of a match against a Peterborough side that isn’t great at the back.

Peterborough also tasted defeat last time out, as they were beaten by four goals to nil at home by Barnsley. The score-line did perhaps flatter the visitors on that occasion, but Posh deserved to lose and, in all honesty, such a defeat had been coming. Steve Evans’ men, as good as they’ve been at times, have found it tough to keep things tight, so they were bound to be punished sooner or later.

Interestingly, on the road is where Steve Evans’ men have thrived this season. Peterborough come into this fixture having won five of their six away games during the current campaign, while they’ve scored a staggering 17 goals during that time.

However, although Posh have thrived offensively when on their travels, they’ve perhaps not been as impressive as the bare figures suggest. They’re averaging 3.17 goals per away match, but their expected goals for average of 1.65 suggests that they’re punching above their weight a tad. Realistically, such a scoring rate will slow down in time, as an average of three goals per game on the road is simply not sustainable long term.

From a betting point of view, it’s tough to go against home goals. Make no mistake about it, Peterborough have what it takes to compete in this fixture, but their defensive issues have been present all season long, while Scunthorpe have started to do an excellent job of getting at teams on their own patch. With the visitors, who’ve conceded the second most shots on target in League One this season, averaging 1.71 expected goals against on their travels, McCall’s hosts, who’ve scored at least twice in four of their seven games since appointing the ex-Bradford boss, are backed to continue their fine scoring form by finding the net at least twice.