Portsmouthvs.Middlesbrough

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough will be hoping to extend their unbeaten league run, having avoided defeat in each of their last six Championship outings.

Match preview

Portsmouth will be looking forward to return to Fratton Park after losing three consecutive away games since cruising to a 4-0 home win over Swansea City on New Year's Day.

Pompey lost out to Sunderland and Wycombe Wanderers in the league and FA Cup respectively, before they fell to a 3-0 loss in Wednesday's Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn scored all three goals in the final half hour to condemn Portsmouth to a fifth straight away league defeat, leaving them in 23rd place and one point adrift from safety.

With Pompey struggling on the road, they will know their upcoming set of fixtures could be crucial to their survival bid, with four of their next five games taking place at Fratton Park.

Impressively, Portsmouth have won four of their previous five home matches (D1), netting at least three goals in each of those victories.

Pompey will try to make full use of home advantage on Saturday, as they look to claim their first win over Middlesbrough since September 2008, having drawn five and lost one of their last six meetings.

Middlesbrough are currently sitting in sixth place in the Championship table after winning 11, drawing eight and losing seven of their 26 league meetings.

Michael Carrick's side have managed to avoid defeat in each of their last six league games, although they may be frustrated that four of those matches finished all square, including a 1-1 draw in their most recent Championship outing against Cardiff City.

Unfortunately for Boro, they followed that result with a 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Blackburn, representing a third consecutive exit at the third-round stage.

Middlesbrough will turn their full focus back to league action, with Saturday's visitors looking to claim back-to-back away victories after edging out Hull City on their most recent road trip.

Boro also enjoyed success on their previous visit to Fratton Park in March 2012 when they ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Barry Robson, Matthew Bates and Marvin Emnes.

As the league's second highest scorers, Middlesbrough may fancy their chances of producing a similar scoreline on Saturday, especially as Pompey have the joint second-worst defensive record in the division.

Portsmouth Championship form:

W

L

L

W

L

L

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

L

L

Middlesbrough Championship form:

W

D

D

D

W

D

Middlesbrough form (all competitions):

D

D

D

W

D

L

Team News

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho recently revealed that Jacob Farrell will require surgery to solve an ongoing knee issue, with the Australian set to miss the remainder of the season.

Pompey are also without the services of Conor Shaughnessy, Ibane Bowat, Regan Poole, Mark O'Mahony and Kusini Yengi.

Attacker Paddy Lane will have to be assessed after being forced at half time in Wednesday's clash with Blackburn due to a knee issue.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Tommy Smith, Darragh Lenihan, Jonny Howson, Seny Dieng, Alex Bangura, Solomon Brynn and Tommy Conway.

Defender Luke Ayling and midfielder Aiden Morris could feature in the matchday squad after returning to full training.

Carrick expects Ben Doak and Emmanuel Latte Lath to be available for selection despite the recent speculation surrounding their future.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Schmid; Swanson, Pack, Atkinson, Ogilvie; Potts, Dozzell; Ritchie, Lang, Murphy; Bishop

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Glover; Dijksteel, Fry, Van den Berg, Neto Borges; Barlaser, Hackney; Doak, Azaz, Burgzorg; Latte Lath

We say: Portsmouth 1-2 Middlesbrough

Written by

Ben Sully

Previews by email