Portsmouthvs.Shrewsbury

Pompey are sitting top of the Legaue One table with five games left to play, while the Shrews are currently sitting in 17th position.

Match preview

Portsmouth are currently in pole position to secure promotion after putting together a 14-game unbeaten run since losing to Leyton Orient in the middle of January.

Pompey came from behind on a couple of occasions to draw 2-2 in Tuesday's home clash with Derby County, ensuring that they remain five points clear of the second-placed Rams.

Abu Kamara cancelled out Joe Ward's opener, before Owen Moxon scored from long-range to restore parity after Ward had netted his second goal of the game.

As well as maintaining the gap to Derby, Pompey are now sitting nine points clear of third-placed Bolton Wanderers, who they will face in their next away fixture.

However, before focusing on their important clash with the Trotters, John Mousinho's side will attempt to complete a league double over Shrewsbury after recording a comfortable 3-0 victory in December's reverse meeting.

Shrewsbury may not be mathematically safe, but they are still on course to extend their stay in the third tier into a 10th consecutive season.

Having picked up 46 points from 41 matches, the Shrews are currently sitting seven points clear of the League One relegation zone.

Although they are bracing themselves for a tough test this weekend, Shrewsbury have managed to avoid defeat in their last three matches since losing to Exeter on March 12.

They began a three-game unbeaten run with a narrow 1-0 win over Carlisle United, before going on to play out draws against Oxford United and Bristol Rovers.

Paul Hurst's side have also fared reasonably well in their recent road trips, having lost just one of their previous six away matches (W3, D2).

Portsmouth League One form:

W

D

W

W

W

D

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

L

W

L

W

D

D

Team News

Portsmouth remain without the services of Alex Robertson, Tom McIntyre, Regan Poole, Joe Morrell, Terry Devlin and Tom Lowery.

Moxon could be brought back into the Pompey midfield following his successful substitute appearance in Tuesday's draw with Derby.

Chelsea loanee Tino Anjorin is set to provide a useful option off the bench after he returned from injury to play the final 20 minutes against the Rams.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the defensive duo of Aaron Pierre and George Nurse, who have both been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Jordan Shipley has completed a three-match suspension and is now poised to come into the lineup for Saturday's trip to Fratton Park.

Tom Bloxham drooped down to the bench for Monday's outing, but he could return to the starting XI after coming on to play around 30 minutes against Bristol Rovers.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie; Pack; Kamara, Saydee, Lane, Bishop

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Marosi; Feeney, Dunkley, Flanagan, Benning; Winchester, Perry; Bloxham, Bayliss, Shipley; Udoh

We say: Portsmouth 3-1 Shrewsbury Town

Shrewsbury may have avoided defeat in their last three matches, but we think that their unbeaten run will be brought to an end by a Portsmouth side that has won five of their previous six home games.

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