Oliver Norburn commits to a tackle in midfield, crashing into Reading's Andy Rinomhota, and conceding a free-kick.

Danny Drinkwater gave him a bouncing hospital pass to deal with, and he took a painful one.

Baba Rahman was in the face of Norburn, who pleaded his innocence and escaped a card.

Joe Ward gets so much on his corner, which sweeps wickedly toward goal, but it's over the top of the Reading crossbar.

Posh have the bit between their teeth, but no reward... yet.

Reading need an outlet ball, but the wind isn't helping with anything slung long.

Image source, Getty Images

Only desperate defence is keeping Reading out, as Kwame Poku stalked his way forward.

Hayden Coulson gets a cross in from the left, which is where they're having most joy, and it's deflected behind.

Another Posh set-piece. Only interrupted by Matthew Donohue sorting out push and shove.

Francis Green
Ex-Peterborough forward on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

Peterborough need to use the wind to their advantage in the first half.

They need to keep putting the ball on the Reading defence, asking them questions and they will get opportunities.

Sloppy play at the back hands Jonson Clarke-Harris a chance on the edge of the box, but his thunderous shot is beaten behind by Karl Hein.

What was Michael Morrison doing? Didn't put enough behind his pass and it was cut out, falling perfectly for JCH.

Posh denied at the corner, but they're pouring forward again.

Kwame Poku teases a foul out of the Reading defence, and Joe Ward swings a free-kick into the box.

Michael Morrison gets a head on it, diverting the ball away from danger.

Most of the more prominent play coming from Posh.

Image source, Rex Features

First sight of Reading dangerman John Swift tonight, as he picks the ball up in midfield and does well to swerve a couple of challenges, albeit not going anywhere.

Yakou Meite back in the side after a horrible injury, goes flying down the right with power and pace but his centre is claimed easily by Steven Benda.

Lucas Joao looked at it like a dog responding to cries of 'Walkies!' with rain tumbling down.

Joe Ward balloons a free-kick from distance, one of those knuckleball efforts, well over the bar.

Promised much with his Ronaldo-like preparation and stance. I'm sure he'll blame the wind.

Francis Green
Ex-Peterborough forward on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

It's been a good start by Peterborough. When the midfielders have got the ball, they're looking forward rather than sideways and backwards.

That's a good sign.

Shirts are rippling in the wind created by Storm Dudley.

Posh dictating the play with their sharp, quick passing football.

Tom Holmes careers into the back of Jonson Clarke-Harris. Set-piece from 40 out for Posh.

Peterborough into their groove early, as Hayden Coulson intercepts in his own half and strides down the left before teeing up Kwame Poku.

Poku raids forward but his tame cross is gathered at the back by Reading keeper Karl Hein.

Posh break again, Nathan Thompson bombing on but his diagonal rolls behind for a goal kick.

Bright start from the hosts.

Tonight's referee is Matthew Donohue. And, he loves a card. Six reds already this season, and 92 bookings.

The game apiece he's covered involving Peterborough and Reading have both ended in defeats.

And we're off. Reading get us under way.

Reading are wearing their yellow away kit tonight, a retro revisit of their 1987-88 Wembley-winning Simod Cup final kit.

The sad omen that goes with it, is they were also relegated from the second tier that season...

Image source, Getty Images

Reading fans might look on enviously at all that transfer activity by their rivals this past month, as their own attempts to strengthen are hampered severely by the Financial Fair Play restrictions they have been working under.

While the Royals were able earlier in the season to add some new signings, the imposition of a points deduction for breaches of FFP mean they have to work to a strict business plan.

They were unable to agree new terms with Andy Carroll, despite making a contract offer, and he subsequently signed for West Brom mid-season.

Goalkeeper Cabral agreed an exit deal, before captain Liam Moore moved on after telling the club he wanted to leave.

In fairness, the Royals have done some business, with Karl Hein allowed to move from Arsenal on loan after Cabral's departure, while Tom Ince came on a similar basis from Stoke as part of the Moore move.

Brandon Barker - a former Rangers and Preston winger - has been signed on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Although the departure of talented forward Siriki Dembele would have been keenly felt at London Road, Peterborough United were able to do some smart business in January that might yet prove key.

Midfield anchor Jeando Fuchs arrived from Dundee United, while Boro full-back Hayden Coulson and Huddersfield's Reece Brown added depth.

Steven Benda has made some big saves since arriving from Swansea on loan, Norwich loanee Bali Mumba was the FA Cup hero in round three while West Brom's Callum Morton has been brought in to help the goals for tally - only Barnsley have scored fewer than Posh's 23 goals so far.

Mick Gooding
Ex-Reading player/manager on BBC Radio Berkshire

I'd be very surprised if Peterborough don't start off at 100mph, right into Reading's faces and turning them around so they're running towards their own goal.

I'd be amazed if we don't see that in the first 15-20 minutes.

If we don't see that then Reading might have a springboard for the rest of the game.

Image source, Getty Images

What a difference a year makes for Reading boss Veljko Paunovic.

This time 12 months ago, Paunovic watched his Royals side win 2-0 at Bristol City thanks to goals from Michael Morrison and Lucas Joao, keeping them in fifth place in the Championship.

Much has happened since then, Financial Fair Play regulations have bitten hard with signings limited and while the likes of Morrison, Andy Rinomhota and Joao are still about, it is a stripped-back side without the likes of Michael Olise and Omar Richards who have departed since.

Protests took place at the weekend's defeat by Coventry, with some sections of the support calling for a change in management.

"It's very difficult to see our fans disappointed and with so much frustration," Paunovic told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"We have to continue doing our best, we have to continue keeping our guys together, we have to believe it's going to change. There is no other way.

"We understand there is a lot of negativity, a lot of things to deal with. At some point we made mistakes, and I assume full responsibility for letting that happen.

"The only way out is to believe on ourselves, to support each other."

Ben Stevenson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

These two teams have got nothing to lose as everyone is saying that Derby will be the team of the four that rises to safety.

If I was the manager in the dressing room, I would be trying to spin that into a positive that everyone is writing you off already.

The fact neither team has a particularly good defensive record might open it up to being an end-to-end, open game and then you might see some goals - or some bad defending that leads to goals.

The danger is that as neither team can afford to lose, they don't get forward and they are reticent to take a risk.

Whoever can break the deadlock will have the advantage.

Image source, Getty Images

Since Barnsley finally ended their wait for a win against QPR last weekend, only Reading's eight losses on the bounce in all competitions comes close to rivalling Peterborough United's run of seven games without a win.

This then is a game both bosses would have earmarked as an opportunity to stop the rot.

Not only is it a proverbial 'six-pointer' with both teams struggling, but also the chance to turn the tide, restore some confidence, and as Posh boss Darren Ferguson says - push positivity.

"Both teams are struggling," Ferguson told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. "We're not on good runs, they've lost eight on the bounce.

"It's important that we focus on the positives from Saturday, and we got a lot of positives.

"My job is to ensure the players are prepared fully but also that they go into it in a positive frame of mind because that is going to be key."

Darren Ferguson keeps faith with the Peterborough United side that lost narrowly at home to Preston at the weekend. It's an unchanged squad throughout.

Forward Yakou Meite makes his first start for Reading this season, while Danny Drinkwater returns to the starting XI.

Peterborough: Benda, Thompson, Kent, Knight, Coulson. Fuchs, Brown, Norburn (c), Poku, Ward, Clarke-Harris.

Subs: Cornell, Szmodics, Grant, Marriott, Jones, Morton, Mumba.

Reading: Hein, Yiadom, Rahman, Morrison (c), Holmes, Rinomhota, Drinkwater, Swift, Ince, Meite, Joao.

Subs: Southwood, Abrefa, McIntyre, Leavy, Dele-Bashiru, Camara, Clarke.