Portsmouth vs Yeovil Preview

Last updated : 02 October 2015 By Jim Bonner

Pompey take on struggling Yeovil at Fratton Park tomorrow in a bid to return to winning ways after Tuesday's defeat to Exeter.

Team News

Paul Cook is likely to make changes after the midweek defeat to the Grecians with Michael Doyle in line to replace Danny Hollands whilst Nigel Atangana could also return to the starting line-up along with Gary Roberts.

Yeovil have injury problems with up to nine players unavailable including ex-Portsmouth winger Jack Compton. Fratton Park will welcome back Wes Fogden and Ryan Bird who are both set to start for Paul Sturrock's side tomorrow.

The Match

The performance on Tuesday night wasn't that bad as most Pompey fans have acknowledged and tomorrow's fixture is almost perfect for Paul Cook's men to bounce back with Yeovil struggling.

The Glovers have only won two and drawn one of their ten league games and struggle to keep clean sheets. It says a lot when Ryan Bird, a player not deemed good enough for league football by many, is their biggest threat in their team.

Wes Fogden is sure to receive a warm reception from the Pompey fans tomorrow and we know all about how his energy and willingness to chase down players can be a problem for the opposition but put Michael Doyle on him and he should be nullified.

The Pompey captain is virtually certain to replace Danny Hollands whose mistake cost his team a goal during midweek. Adam Barton will probably retain his place but it wouldn't be surprising to see Gary Roberts start in place of Conor Chaplin or Gareth Evans to hopefully heap the pressure on Yeovil from the start.

If Pompey can replicate Tuesday's performance but be just that little bit sharper and a little more focused at the back then a poor team like Yeovil should be put to the sword.

Failure to win tomorrow could well signal the start of a rough patch of form. 

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Pompey

GK: Aaron McCAREY

RB: Ben DAVIES

CB: Christian BURGESS

CB: Matt CLARKE

LB: Enda STEVENS

DM: Michael DOYLE

DM: Nigel ATANGANA

RM: Gary ROBERTS

AM: Conor CHAPLIN

LM: Kyle BENNETT

CF: Jayden STOCKLEY

Yeovil

GK: Artur KRYSIAK

RB: Connor ROBERTS

CB: Stephen ARTHURWORREY

CB: Jakub SOKOLIK

LB: Nathan SMITH

RM: Wes FOGDEN

CM: Matt DOLAN

CM: Marc LAIRD

LM: Jake HOWELLS

CF: Harry CORNICK

CF: Ryan BIRD

Last Time: Portsmouth 1 Yeovil Town 2 (League One - 29/12/2012)

Yeovil took advantage of some extremely sloppy play in the first half as a tame Dominic Blizzard effort and a deflected Byron Webster shot handed the visitors a two goal lead before the break.

Paul Benson pulled one back in a second half that Pompey dominated but an equaliser wasn't forthcoming as 2012 ended in yet another defeat.

My Prediction

I'm expecting a reaction from Tuesday and so long as Yeovil's long throws and set-pieces are dealt with, this should be a match where Pompey can express themselves and score some goals.

Portsmouth 3 Yeovil Town 0