In a clash that could significantly impact the race for survival in the Championship, Portsmouth will welcome Cardiff City to Fratton Park on Tuesday.
The hosts are fifth last in 20th place and stayed on 30 points following their 2-1 defeat against Sheffield United on Saturday, but they are only one place and one point behind Cardiff, who lost 7-0 against Leeds United in the league on February 1.
Match preview
© Imago
Portsmouth will feel they should have beaten Sheffield United given they created five big chances compared to the Blades' two, as well as the fact their tally of 3.06 xG was nearly three times the figure the victors produced.
Pompey are just two places and two points above the relegation zone, and their record of 54 goals conceded in the Championship makes them the league's second-worst defensive team.
Head coach John Mousinho has not faced too much criticism this term given he guided his side to promotion last season from League One to the Championship in his first full season of management.
Mousinho will be alarmed that his team have failed to win any of their last four games, conceding eight and scoring three while losing three times.
The hosts do boast a strong home record despite their struggles this campaign, with the club winning six of their past nine at Fratton Park, drawing two and succumbing to defeat in the other one.
© Imago
Visitors Cardiff mustered just two shots from distance against Leeds but faced seven big chances, 18 attempts from inside the penalty area and a total of 5.73 xG.
The Welsh side come into the clash having advanced into the fifth round of the FA Cup, beating Stoke City on penalties on Saturday, though they did need Rubin Colwill to equalise in the second half after falling behind when they squandered a two-goal advantage.
However, the Bluebirds did beat Portsmouth 2-0 in the reverse fixture on October 22, their third victory in their last four meetings with Pompey.
Boss Omer Riza will be pleased with his side's overall showings in recent weeks considering their defeat against Leeds was their only loss in their past 10, with his team winning five and drawing four in that period.
Cardiff have also been difficult to beat away from home given they have only lost twice in their last 10 outings on the road, and they have in fact won three of their six most recent away fixtures.
Team News
© Imago
Portsmouth unfortunately have numerous injury absentees, including defenders Ibane Bowat, Jacob Farrell, Jordan Williams and Regan Poole.
With so many injuries in the backline, Mousinho is likely to select Zak Swanson, Conor Shaughnessy, Robert Atkinson and Connor Ogilvie in a back four.
Striker Colby Bishop is likely to be supported by Matt Richie, Callum Lang and Josh Murphy given Mark O'Mahony, Paddy Lane and Kusini Yengi have been ruled out.
Meanwhile, Cardiff midfielder Aaron Ramsey is back in training and could be in contention for minutes on Tuesday, though David Turnbull is not scheduled to return to action until late February.
Ramsey could be joined in a double pivot by Joe Ralls, and the duo may play behind attacking midfielder Alex Robertson.
Forwards Isaak Davies and Ollie Tanner will not be in the matchday squad, and their absences could lead Riza to start Cian Ashford and Chris Willock either side of striker Callum Robinson.
Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Schmid; Swanson, Shaughnessy, Atkinson, Ogilvie; Potts, Dozzell; Ritchie, Lang, Murphy; Bishop
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Alnwick; Rinomhota, Goutas, Daland, Ng; Ramsey, Ralls; Ashford, Robertson, Willock; Robinson
We say: Portsmouth 2-1 Cardiff City
Portsmouth will likely have more energy than Cardiff on Tuesday given the visitors were taken to extra time and penalties last time out against Stoke.
Additionally, Portsmouth's record at home is strong, and they should be confident of taking advantage of their opponents, though Cardiff will feel they can score considering their hosts have been vulnerable defensively recently.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
