Pompey will be looking to win their fourth game in a row when they take on Michael Appleton's Oxford United at Fratton Park tomorrow.
Team News
James Dunne serves the first of his two-match-ban after picking up his tenth booking of the season during the Tranmere match whilst Paul McCallum serves the final match of his suspension. Josh Passley is available after extending his loan but Nick Awford has had his contract cancelled.
U's defender Joe Skarz should be available despite tweaking his hamstring last weekend whilst Andy Whing and Will Hoskins will hope to feature in the squad after playing in a development match during the week. Former Pompey keeper Jamie Ashdown is likely to be on the bench.
The Match
There are two main talking points ahead of Saturday's match.
The first is the return of a manager who certainly divides opinion amongst Pompey fans as Michael Appleton returns to Fratton Park for the first time since his acrimonious departure from Pompey when he suddenly left for Blackpool.
Remember the cringeworthy song? "Oh 'appy Appleton. Oh 'appy Appleton! In 'Appy we trust, oh, he'll never leave us! Oh, 'appy Appleton!" And yet he was soon gone without even saying goodbye to the players or staff.
But who could blame him for leaving given the regime he had to work under? Some would suggest it was almost an impossible job and yet others say that he should have kept Pompey in the Championship with the squad at his disposal, regardless of the ten point deduction.
His career hasn't exactly flourished since he left Pompey, either. He showed more disloyalty when he left Blackpool after just two months for Blackburn where he was promptly sacked after 67 days when it became apparent that Appleton isn't really that special.
He was appointed Oxford manager at the start of this season, ironically replacing Gary Waddock who is now Pompey's assistant manager, but it hasn't turned out too well for him. His side are inconsistent at best and currently sit in 17th place in the league.
Still, he did deliver some good results during his time at Portsmouth and clearly cared about the club and the job he was trying to do despite being constantly undermined. He'll probably receive a lukewarm reception come 3pm tomorrow.
However, the main pre-match talking point will undoubtely be the question of if Pompey can keep up their excellent run of form against Oxford.
Losing James Dunne is a huge blow given how vital he is to the team. It was no surprise to see Pompey's form dip hugely when he was injured and he can't be replaced easily.
The natural replacement would be Johnny Ertl but he may be considered too sluggish for a 90-minute midfield slog these days and so Nigel Atangana could always take his place with Danny Hollands sitting deeper in midfield.
Awford could also change the midfield completely and bring Andy Barcham back into the team and play a 4-4-2 formation. Or, he could simply start with four strikers as that seemed to work against Tranmere on Tuesday night!
He's unlikely to change the formation, however, and it's completely understandable given the form his team are in although they'll probably have to play better than they did for long portions of Tuesday night's match.
As long as the midfield work hard to nullify Oxford's threat from the wings and the defence can keep Danny Hylton quiet, then there's no reason why Pompey can't win their fourth game on the bounce.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Paul JONES
RWB: Josh PASSLEY
CB: Paul ROBINSON
CB: Joe DEVERA
CB: Jack WHATMOUGH
LWB: Dan BUTLER
CM: Nigel ATANGANA
CM: Danny HOLLANDS
CM: Jed WALLACE
CF: Ryan TAYLOR
CF: Matt TUBBS
Oxford
GK: Ryan CLARKE
RB: George BALDOCK
CM: Johnny MULLINS
CM: Jake WRIGHT
LB: Sam LONG
RM: Alex MacDONALD
CM: Josh RUFFELS
CM: Michael COLLINS
LM: Callum O'DOWDA
CF: Pat HOBAN
CF: Danny HYLTON
Last Time: Portsmouth 1 Oxford United 4 (League Two - 03/08/2013)
The opening day of Pompey's League Two campaign was a disaster despite Patrick Agyemang heading Guy Whittingham's side into an early lead. Slack defending from the full backs allowed Dean Smalley and Alfie Potter to score to give the visitors a 2-1 lead going into half-time.
Johnny Ertl was sent off in the second half as Smalley and Potter scored again to complete the thrashing and a harsh welcome into football's bottom division for Pompey.
My Prediction
We've been treated to last-minute winners, away day thrashings and dramatic comebacks recently so this match could well be back to reality for Pompey, especially given the ex-factor with Appleton and Dunne's absence. Still, Pompey's form is so good that you would have to be confident of another win.
Portsmouth 2 Oxford United 1