Pompey take on Cheltenham at a packed Fratton Park tomorrow knowing victory could deliver the League Two title if Plymouth and Doncaster drop points.
Team News
Neither manager has any new fresh injury concerns ahead of the match, with both likely to field unchanged starting elevens after respective 1-0 victories last weekend.
The Match
Paul Cook has been named manager of the month for April and may well claim the manager of the season award if events go his way tomorrow. Pompey fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that Grimsby and Hartlepool can do their team a favour and take points from Plymouth and Doncaster respectively.
In all honesty, this is unlikely to happen. Grimsby are mediocre and host the team with the best away record in the division. Argyle could find a way to shithouse their way to victory like they have done of many occasions this season but there's hope that they'll bottle it like they have done in the past.
And whilst Doncaster have lost their last three games, they take on a dire Hartlepool side who have taken just two points from their last eight games. We can only hope that their desire to win and have a chance of staying in the Football League is enough motivation to beat a team who have seemingly given up since their promotion was confirmed.
Still, none of this will matter if Pompey can't beat Cheltenham tomorrow but they really should. The Robins confirmed their survival by beating Hartlepool last week but are a poor side in general.
The Blues may have struggled against these types of sides in the past but they've stepped it up a gear since early March and should have too much quality for beleagured Cheltenham. How irritating would it be if Pompey did get their favours from Grimsby and Hartlepool, only to blow it at the death?
It's going to be an interesting evening tomorrow whatever happens. Let's just hope that the script is written in our favour and the season ends with another trophy to add to the cabinet.
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: Conor CHAPLIN
Cheltenham
GK: Scott BROWN
RB: Jack BARTHRAM
CB: Matty ONARIASE
CB: Will BOYLE
LB: Liam DAVIS
RM: Blly WATERS
CM: Harry PELL
CM: Kyle STORER
LM: James ROWE
CF: Dan HOLMAN
CF: Danny WRIGHT
Last Time: Portsmouth 2 Cheltenham Town 2 (League Two - 17/03/2015)
Matt Tubbs gave Pompey an early lead but were pegged back immediately by Elliot Richards' equaliser before the visitors took the lead thanks to Will Packwood. Ryan Taylor headed in Dan Butler's free kick but were unable to find a winner in the second half.
My Prediction
I believe Cheltenham aren't likely to put up much resistance now their season is over and a fired up Pompey will take control of this match and win comfortably. Will it be enough? Who knows?
Portsmouth 3 Cheltenham Town 0