Pompey return to Fratton Park after four successive away games on the trot. Following news that Pompey are likely to be deducted 10-points on Friday afternoon, the Blues look to secure three points and stay above the drop zone once they’re taken. Paul Jewell’s Ipswich are this evening’s visitors!
Team News
Luke Varney still misses out for Pompey but Michael Appleton confirmed in the pre-match press conference that he wouldn’t need surgery, which is a positive after many delays and set-backs in Varney’s injury.
David Norris is recovering but it’s thought that Tuesday night had probably come too quickly for Norris, however, the former Ipswich midfielder could return for the trip to Barnsley on Saturday.
Despite missing a number of chances on Saturday, Erik Huseklepp is expected to keep his place up front alongside Hungarian giant Marko Futacs.
Ipswich will be without a familiar face for Pompey fans, defender Ibrahima Sonko, who has dislocated a rib and will be out for about two to four weeks. Midfielder Lee Bowyer will also be given a late fitness test to assess his fitness ahead of Tuesday night’s clash.
History
Tonight’s visitors have the upper hand in terms of head-to-head history going in to the game having beaten Pompey 18 times, whilst our boys have only won 11 times and also drawn 11 times.
Ipswich pipped Pompey 1-0 at Portman Road back in October but the Blues have come a long way since then, including Steve Cotterill heading to Nottingham Forest and being replaced by the impressive Michael Appleton.
The Tractor Boys were keen on a number of Portsmouth players during the January transfer window, including Stephen Henderson, Joel Ward and Jason Pearce, but the trio turned deals down from Ipswich in order to help out the Pompey cause!
Ipswich have been a bit of a bogey team for Pompey at Fratton Park over recent years, and the Blues haven’t beaten tonight’s visitors at home since 1966 when they won 4-2!
Last season the two teams drew 0-0 at Fratton Park, but Ipswich have already had one over Pompey so far this season when Keith Andrews scored the only goal of the game at Portman Road.
Pompey are currently above Ipswich in the Championship table, although the Blues are expected to suffer a 10-point deduction on Friday so that may well change! The Blues are 17th on 35 points, with Ipswich just a point behind in 19th but have a lot worse goal difference.
Form
Pompey’s last 5 (league): LLWLD
Ipswich’s last 5 (league): LDLWW
Line-Up
Possible Pompey line-up: Henderson; Ben-Haim, Pearce, Rocha, Halford; Ward, Etuhu, Mullins, Lawrence; Futacs, Huseklepp
Possible Ipswich line-up: Lee-Barrett; Delaney, Smith, Cresswell, Martin; Drury, Edwards, Emmanuel-Thomas, Hyam; Murphy, Chopra
Discussion
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