Pompey travel to the oldest recorded town in England tomorrow looking to maintain their hold on third place in League Two.
Team News
Enda Stevens has recovered from his dead leg whilst Amine Linganzi is also fit to start if required. Jack Whatmough has a hamstring injury and faces two weeks out whilst Curtis Main is also still injured.
Colchester have an injury crisis with up to thirteen players ruled out for tomorrow's match. The much maligned Alex Wynter could play against his former club.
The Match
Pompey managed to bounce back admirably from last Saturday's defeat to Crewe with a comfortable win at Crawley on Tuesday night, but tomorrow's match will be tougher.
The U's are in ninth place in League Two but just a few points behind the play-off places mainly thanks to their excellent home record which has seen them win ten of their sixteen games at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Whilst it's uncertain what team John McGreal picks for home side due to the injuries, Paul Cook should stick with the same starting eleven that beat Crawley despite Linganzi's return to fitness and Eoin Doyle's lack of form.
Speaking of the latter, he has to find his form at some point, doesn't he? He is a proven goalscorer at lower league level and will eventually get going. Perhaps tomorrow will be his day?
A win for Pompey will keep them in third place in the league but they could make more ground on wobbling Plymouth who are a Mansfield whilst the two form teams in the division in Luton and Stevenage meet each other. Carlisle face Cambridge at Brunton Park whilst Exeter host Accrington.
Victory tomorrow and there'll be more fans singing about Pompey being on their way to League One.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: David FORDE
RB: Gareth EVANS
CB: Christian BURGESS
CB: Matt CLARKE
LB: Enda STEVENS
DM: Michael DOYLE
DM: Danny ROSE
RM: Kyle BENNETT
AM: Carl BAKER
LM: Kal NAISMITH
CF: Eoin DOYLE
Last Time: Colchester United 2 Portsmouth 2 (League One - 21/08/2012)
Luke Rodgers gave Pompey the lead when he slotted in Liam Walker's through ball but Michael Rose levelled with a screamer before the break. It looked like the U's would win when Magnus Okuonghae headed in a late corner but substitute Jordan Obita equalised with his first touch to give Michael Appleton's men a share of the spoils.
My Prediction
I fancy Doyle to score but Colchester are a tough nut to crack. A draw isn't the worst result on paper but those dropped points against Crewe means it's a game Pompey should try and win.
Colchester United 1 Portsmouth 1