Exeter vs Portsmouth Preview

Last updated : 31 August 2015 By Jim Bonner

Pompey travel to St. James' Park tomorrow night to play Exeter City in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Team News

Paul Cook has confirmed that he will be playing a weakened team with youth players being handed starts so expect to see the likes of Ben Tollitt and Adam May feature.

Paul Tisdale is also expected to field a weakened side although he will be without Welsh winger Aaron Davies because of injury.

The Match

Once again Pompey must play in the first round of their lowest-priority competition this season as they couldn't get a bye to the second round and in all honesty it's difficult to muster any care for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

However, this is a competition that Paul Cook has got to the final with as Chesterfield manager back in 2014 and the current Portsmouth squad is strong so it'll be interesting to see how the fringe players get on.

Perhaps this will be the first time we'll see Adam Barton who seems to have been forgotten about or maybe it'll be James Dunne who partners Ben Close in defensive midfield?

As for the Grecians, who knows how strong their side will be? Clinton Morrison has signed a contract extension and might play a part but Paul Tisdale doesn't seem too bothered about the Paint trophy either.

Still, there is a trip to Wembley at the end of it should Pompey win the seemingly countless matches to get there and if they don't it's doubtful any tears will be shed.

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Exeter

GK: Bobby OLEJNIK

RB: Danny BUTTERFIELD

CB: Jamie McCALLISTER

CB: Jordan TILSON

LB: Craig WOODMAN

RM: Matt OAKLEY

CM: David NOBLE

CM: Emmanuel OYELEKE

LM: Lee HOLMES

CF: Clinton MORRISON

CF: Joel GRANT

Pompey

GK: Paul JONES

RB: Gareth EVANS

CB: Adam WEBSTER

CB: Matt CLARKE

LB: Brandan HAUNSTRUP

DM: Ben CLOSE

DM: James DUNNE

RM: Adam McGURK

AM: Conor CHAPLIN

LM: Ben TOLLITT

CF: Jayden STOCKLEY

Last Time: Exeter City 1 Portsmouth 1 (League Two - 09/08/2014)

The opening day of last season saw the hosts take the lead after Tom Nichols headed in a free kick but Pompey earned a point thanks to the first of many goals from Jed Wallace as he ran into the box and blasted the ball into the corner for the equaliser.

My Prediction

I think we'll win simply based on the accomplished performances of this so-called weakened side against Championship sides in the League Cup and thus they should have too much for a weakened Exeter side.

Exeter City 1 Portsmouth 2