Accrington Stanley vs Portsmouth Preview

Last updated : 16 September 2016 By Jim Bonner

Paul Cook returns to old club Accrington where his team will look for a repeat of last season's result to make it five league wins on the spin.

Team News

Curtis Main is a doubt for the game after suffering a head injury during last weekend's match with Wycombe, meaning Conor Chaplin may finally start a league game. Adam Buxton is sidelined with an ankle problem and so won't play against his former club but Tom Davies will.

Shay McCartan will miss tomorrow's match after injuring his leg on international duty but ex-Pompey midfielder Rommy Boco is set to start against his old club.

The Match

There isn't too much to say here. Accrington have inevitably had a mediocre start to the season after losing key players in the summer (a couple to Pompey) but they did win at Notts County last weekend and kept their first clean sheet of the season in the process.

Rommy Boco scored in that game and after the "gentleman's agreement" farce that surrounded him in this fixture last season there may be a few fans who believe his name is destined for the scoresheet tomorrow.

Whether it is or not, Pompey should have enough quality to win this game. They're in good form and the last two performances have been convincing. A good showing and three points on the road would really make a statement but a draw wouldn't be disastrous, either.

As for the team selection, Paul Cook has been saying to the media that Chaplin needs to be managed well but surely that means rewarding him with a start after he scored the best goal of his career against Wycombe? What more can he do?

Kal Naismith may be another who has played his way into the starting eleven and will want to make an impact against his former club. Gary Roberts may also be a good bet for first goalscorer in this one, too. Especially if Pompey win a penalty in the game.

A defeat would undo all of the previous good work that has seen the vast majority of fans forget the sluggish start to the season. But this is a game that Pompey should be taking all three points from if automatic promotion is on the agenda this season. 

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Accrington

GK: Aaron CHAPMAN

RB: CallumJONES

CB: Omar BECKLES

CB: Zak VYNER

LB: Matty PEARSON

RM: John O'SULLIVAN

CM: Scott BROWN

CM: Seamus CONNEELY

LM: Sean McCONVILLE

CF: Jordan CLARK

CF: Billy KEE

Pompey

GK: David FORDE

RB: Gareth EVANS

CB: Tom DAVIES

CB: Christian BURGESS

LB: Enda STEVENS

DM: Michael DOYLE

DM: Danny ROSE

RM: Gary ROBERTS

AM: Carl BAKER

LM: Milan LALKOVIC

CF: Conor CHAPLIN

Last Time: Accrington Stanley 1 Portsmouth 3 (League Two - 08/03/2016)

Kyle Bennett opened the scoring with a shot from outside the box and the lead was doubled when Matty Pearson turned Ben Davies' cross into his own net. Michael Doyle then settled the game in the second half with his goal of the season winning strike meaning that Shay McCartan's 81st minute goal was nothing but a consolation.

My Prediction

Pompey seem to be hitting their stride now and Accrington aren't the same side they were last season. This is a good opportunity to bag a fifth straight win and it should be taken.

Accrington Stanley 1 Portsmouth 2