Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Portsmouth and Blackpool, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Portsmouth will look to remain top of the League One table when they welcome Blackpool to Fratton Park on Saturday.
While the hosts lead second-placed Oxford by one point, eighth-placed Blackpool are currently sitting outside the top six on goal difference.
Match preview
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Portsmouth are currently enjoying an impressive unbeaten run, having avoided defeat in each of their last 27 (W14, D13) league matches since losing to Sheffield Wednesday in March.
Although they have racked rack up 36 points from 16 games this season, the league leaders would have been disappointed to drop two points in their most recent outing against Charlton Athletic on November 11.
Pompey took the lead on two occasions thanks to an Abou Kamara strike and a Colby Bishop penalty, but they ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils after Conor McGrandles pulled Charlton level in stoppage time.
As a result of the 2-2 draw, Pompey have now conceded two goals in back-to-back league games, which is perhaps surprising for a side that boast the best defensive record in the division.
Despite having to settle for a point in their meeting with Charlton, John Mousinho‘s side go into Saturday’s contest with the best home record in the third tier, having won six and drawn three of their nine league matches at Fratton Park this season.
While most teams saw their games postponed for international call-ups, Blackpool were one of four teams in League One action last weekend, as they played host to Shrewsbury Town in what proved to be a memorable afternoon.
The Tangerines produced a commanding display to cruise to a 4-0 home victory following a Jake Beesley brace, a Jordan Rhodes penalty and a Kyle Joseph.
Although Blackpool have now won three of their last four home league matches, they have been unable to carry that form onto their travels.
They have won just one of their eight away league games this season (D4, L3), which took place against Barnsley at the end of September.
Their away form may not offer too much inspiration, but Blackpool can take confidence from the fact they have won each of their last three away meetings with Portsmouth.
Portsmouth League One form:
Portsmouth form (all competitions):
Blackpool League One form:
Blackpool form (all competitions):
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Team News
Pompey are expected to be without the services of Conor Ogilvie, Regan Poole, Tom Lowery, Anthony Scully and Faustino Anjorin.
Portsmouth captain Marlon Pack is set to feature among the substitutes after missing the last nine games through injury.
Bishop will be looking to add to the 10 league goals he has scored this season when he leads the line against Blackpool.
As for the visitors, their forward options have been affected by injury, with Shayne Lavery and Kylian Kouassi set to miss out.
Ollie Norburn, Matty Virtue and Jordan Gabriel have stepped up their injury recoveries, but it remains to be seen if any of the trio will be ready for Saturday’s away trip.
After seeing his side produce a dominant performance last weekend, Neil Critchley could be tempted to select the same lineup that started the 4-0 win over Shrewsbury.
Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Sparkes; Morrell, Robertson; Lane, Devlin, Kamara; Bishop
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Pennington, Ekpiteta, Husband; Hamilton, Dembele, Dougall, Carey, Dale; Rhodes, Beesley
We say: Portsmouth 1-1 Blackpool
Although Blackpool have won their last three away games against Portsmouth, we think a draw may be the best they can hope for when they face a Pompey side that are unbeaten in 27 league matches.
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