Rotherham United and Peterborough United clash on the final matchday of the League One season at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, with little at stake besides finishing as high as possible.
Both sides enter round 46 in disappointing form, with the hosts winless in four matches and Peterborough on a six-game streak without success as they head into the concluding fixture of the 2024-25 season.
Match preview
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While Rotherham may have hoped for an immediate return to the Championship after last season’s relegation, the Millers sit mid-table in the third tier ahead of the final matchday.
The 13th-placed team can finish no higher than 12th after Saturday’s games, with Barnsley just two points above the South Yorkshire club before their trip to playoff-chasing Reading.
With the club in 12th expected to drop points on the final day, Rotherham could strive for maximum points to move up a position after the 46th round of the competition.
However, interim boss Matt Hamshaw will need to inspire his players to break a four-match winless streak, having drawn twice and lost as many matches heading into this weekend’s fixture.
A defeat to Peterborough could see the Millers slide further down the table, as Stevenage and Exeter City are level on 56 points and Wigan Athletic are one point below Rotherham, indicating the South Yorkshire club’s mild jeopardy.
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It will be interesting to see if their opponents have added motivation ahead of this weekend’s match, aside from breaking a month-long wait for maximum points.
The Cambridgeshire side have not secured a victory since defeating relegated Crawley Town 4-3 at the beginning of April.
That win has been followed by a six-match winless streak for the away side, with three consecutive 1-1 draws against Stockport County, Barnsley and Bolton Wanderers, followed by a 4-2 defeat at Mansfield Town in midweek.
Having reached the playoffs last season, Darren Ferguson‘s squad have underperformed this time, as reflected in the club’s 17th place after 45 matches.
Since the Posh cannot finish higher than their current position — with 16th-placed Wigan four points clear — Ferguson’s men enter the final day aiming to avoid a seventh game without success and to stay above 17th, with Mansfield sitting level on 51 points and 19th-placed Northampton Town on 50.
Team News
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While Daniel Gore returned against Stevenage, goalscorer Sam Nombe getting injured after 22 minutes suggests that the forward is likely to join Alex MacDonald, Sean Raggett, Andre Green and Zak Jules on the injury list.
With the Millers possibly without their 13-goal top scorer Nombe, Mallik Wilks will aim to be decisive for the hosts, seeking to add to his nine League One goals.
Although Oscar Wallin and Gustav Lindgren returned from injury against Mansfield, Peterborough could be without Archie Collins, Rio Adebisi and Cian Hayes on the final day.
While Malik Mothersille has not scored from open play since March, the wide attacker enters Saturday’s match with 12 goals, aiming to increase his tally in gameweek 46.
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Phillips; Rafferty, Odoffin, Humphreys; Mpanzu, Kelly, Powell, James; Sibley; Wilks, Clarke-Harris
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Blackmore; Dornelly, Hughes, Nevett, Edun; O’Brien-Brady, Havilland; Odoh, Conn-Clarke, Mothersille; Lindgren
We say: Rotherham United 2-2 Peterborough United
With 19 goals scored in Peterborough’s last four away games – averaging 4.75 in recent matches against Reading (3-1 defeat), Crawley Town (4-3 win), Barnsley (1-1 draw) and Mansfield (4-2 defeat) – and Rotherham’s recent home games witnessing 18 goals (mean of 4.5) from losses to Wycombe Wanderers (3-2) and Crawley (4-0), a win over Blackpool (2-1) and a 3-3 draw with Mansfield, another goal-heavy encounter could unfold this weekend.
Given the hosts’ inability to achieve a consistent run of positive results in front of their supporters and the same for Peterborough on their travels, Saturday’s match could end in a score draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
