Colchester United vs Portsmouth Preview

Last updated : 20 August 2012 By Jim Bonner

After a pulsating first game of the League One season, Pompey make their first ever trip to the Weston Community Homes Stadium to play Colchester United.

Team News

Jordan Obita is set to start for Pompey having signed on a month's loan from Reading today, whilst Liam Walker may also start if he receives international clearance in time to play.

U's manager John Ward is set to name an unchanged side to the team that held Preston to a goalless draw at Deepdale on Saturday.

The Match

After a good first half performance against Bournemouth on Saturday, it will be interesting to see how Pompey's fitness holds for the first away game of the season.

One of the major reasons for our struggles last season was the dire form away from home that saw just three victories and many disheartening performances.

If this season is to be a success then we simply can't repeat the same dreadful performances at the likes of Hull, Watford and Brighton last year and this game should be a good barometer of just what the travelling Portsmouth supporters are in for this season.

Colchester strike me as a solid side that shouldn't be in danger of relegation and may even challenge for promotion under the steady stewardship of John Ward.

They have some good players in Anthony Wordsworth who was their top scorer last season playing in centre midfield whilst Freddie Sears and Clinton Morrison also have some Premier League experience and should be a handful.

I'm really hopeful that Liam Walker will receive his international clearance and play his first competitive match tomorrow. He was the outstanding player during pre-season and good things are expected of him.

Like Saturday, this match will be difficult to predict but another that I am personally looking forward to.

Despite the issues off the pitch, I am starting to get the bug back...

Click here for the League One Lowdown on Colchester.

Click here for an interview with U's fan Daniel ahead of tomorrow's match.

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Colchester

GK: Mark COUSINS

RB: Brian WILSON

CB: Tom EASTMAN

CB: Magnus OKUONGHAE

LB: Michael ROSE

CM: Marcus BEAN

CM: Anthony WORDSWORTH

CM: John-Joe O'TOOLE

RWF: Ian HENDERSON

LWF: Freddie SEARS

CF: Clinton MORRISON

Pompey

GK: Mikkel ANDERSEN

RB: Mustapha DUMBUYA

CB: Kevin LONG

CB: Paul CONNOLLY

LB: Jon HARLEY

RM: Jordan OBITA

CM: Lee WILLIAMSON

CM: Brian HOWARD

LM: Jack COMPTON

CF: Izale McLEOD

CF: Luke RODGERS

Last Time: Colchester United 3 Portsmouth 0 (FA Cup First Round - 22/11/1980)

Trevor Lee, Ian Allison and Kevin Bremner all scored as Pompey were soundly beaten in their last ever visit to Layer Road.

My Prediction

Once again I'll sit on the fence. As long as the players don't tire like they did on Saturday I think we're good enough for a draw.

Colchester United 1 Portsmouth 1