Shrewsbury vs Portsmouth Preview

Last updated : 26 April 2013 By Jim Bonner

Pompey make their first visit to Greenhous Meadow tomorrow looking to leave League One on a high.

Team News

Guy Whittingham is likely to stick with the same side that smashed Sheffield United last week regardless of Ricardo Rocha's fitness.

Former Pompey youth prospect James Hurst could start against his former club. Darren Jones and Jermaine Grandison are definitely out of the game.

The Match

For the second season running Pompey fans will be travelling north for another relegation party, ironically on the tenth anniversary of Portsmouth's Division One title win after the 3-2 victory over Rotherham at Fratton Park.

So much has happened since then it's hard to fathom that League Two awaits next season but at least there is hope for the season ahead. That is a far cry from the end of last season when there was genuine concern that the match at Nottingham Forest would be Pompey's last.

Every Pompey player that day ended up leaving the club and you have to wonder how many of those that turn out for our club tomorrow will be doing it for the last time.

Jed Wallace has had his contract extended but is sought after by Championship clubs and so could leave. Hopefully he'll stay along with the other players who have been successful in the last quarter of the season.

As for the match, Shrewsbury have survived by the skin of their teeth and may play a few youngsters for the final game. After witnessing the mauling of the Blades last weekend, I see no reason why this Pompey team can't bow out of this division on a high by replicating that performance.

It should be an enjoyable day out in Shropshire but hopefully there will be a real cause for celebration this time next year.

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Shrewsbury

GK: Chris WEALE

RB: Cameron GAYLE

CB: Yado MAMBO

CB: Connor GOLDSON

LB: Joe JACOBSON

RM: Jon TAYLOR

CM: Stephen McGINN

CM: Luke SUMMERFIELD

LM: Matt RICHARDS

CF: Akwasi ASANTE

CF: Tom BRADSHAW

Pompey

GK: Simon EASTWOOD

RB: Yassin MOUTAOUAKIL

CB: Sam SODJE

CB: Gabor GYEPES

LB: Dan BUTLER

RM: Shaun COOPER

CM: Johnny ERTL

CM: Therry RACON

LM: Jed WALLACE

CF: Patrick AGYEMANG

CF: David CONNOLLY

Last Time: Shrewsbury Town 1 Portsmouth 2 (Division Two - 27/08/1988)

The opening day of the 1988/1989 season saw Alan Ball's men go to Gay Meadow and win courtesy of goals from Terry Connor and substitute Mark Kelly.

My Prediction

It has been a hell of a season and will mostly be remembered for the wrong reasons but I fancy Pompey to win this before another rebuilding job begins.

Shrewsbury Town 0 Portsmouth 2