Pompey travel to Accrington tomorrow looking to get back to winning ways after Tuesday's defeat at Northampton.
Team News
James Dunne will return to the team after serving his two-match-ban but Andy Awford has defensive problems with Ben Chorley banned after being sent off on Tuesday and Jack Whatmough still rated doubtful with an ankle injury.
John Coleman may make changes to his team after losing two successive matches. Kal Naismith and Shay McCartan are the most likely players to force their way into the starting eleven.
The Match
If there any play-off hopes lingering in the minds of Pompey fans then tomorrow's match is one that their team simply must win to put some pressure on the teams above them. In all honesty, though, this is likely to be the first of many "nothing" games with Andy Awford's men looking increasingly likely to finish in mid-table.
When you look at the League Two table, it's hardly surprising to see why Pompey are having such a mediocre season when you look at it overall. Of the twelve teams above Pompey in the league, only two of them have been beaten which tells its own story.
Their record against the teams below them is far better which only further suggests that Pompey will finish the season in a similar position to the 13th place they occupy at the moment.
However, Accrington are one of those teams below Pompey yet they have already beaten them at Fratton Park back in December and cannot be taken lightly given their recent victories over high-flyers Burton and Southend.
As for Awford's team selection, he surely won't change the formation after one defeat whilst it seems likely that Adam Webster will play at centre back should Whatmough not be fit. He may also be tempted to start Wes Fogden after his comeback appearance at Northampton as the midfield could do with that extra bit of energy.
Hopefully the full backs will be given more licence to push forward as they've been reluctant to get forward in the last couple of games to the fans' frustration. Having them supply the strikers with crosses would seem to be the best form of attack given the lack of chances created in the last two matches.
Drawing another blank tomorrow w simply prove that February's good form was just a flash in the pan and it's back to "business as usual" rather than the proverbial corner being turned and that would mean a dull end to another disappointing season.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Accrington
GK: Scott DAVIES
RB: Michael LIDDLE
CB: Rob ATKINSON
CB: Matt CROOKS
LB: Dean WINNARD
RM: Andrew PROCTER
CM: Luke JOYCE
CM: Josh WINDASS
LM: Anthony BARRY
CF: Piero MINGOIA
CF: Terry GORNELL
Pompey
GK: Paul JONES
RWB: Josh PASSLEY
CB: Adam WEBSTER
CB: Paul ROBINSON
CB: Joe DEVERA
LWB: Dan BUTLER
CM: James DUNNE
CM: Danny HOLLANDS
CM: Jed WALLACE
CF: Ryan TAYLOR
CF: Matt TUBBS
Last Time: Accrington Stanley 2 Portsmouth 2 (League Two - 10/08/2013)
Pompey wasted a whole host of chances to take the lead in the first half and paid for it when Peter Murphy lobbed Phil Smith from 30 yards at the start of the second half. Guy Whittingham's men hit back with two goals from David Connolly, the second a penalty, but couldn't hold onto the lead as Murphy headed in his second goal of the match to give Accrington a share of the spoils.
My Prediction
A draw seems like the most likely result here as both teams have slumped in their last couple of matches. Hopefully Pompey can prove me wrong.
Accrington Stanley 1 Portsmouth 1