Portsmouthvs.Stoke

Meanwhile, Portsmouth will be hoping to continue their impressive home form after avoiding defeat in each of their last six matches at Fratton Park.

Match preview

Portsmouth are currently sitting inside the drop zone on goal difference after winning six, drawing eight and losing 12 of their 26 matches.

Pompey have experienced contrasting fortunes between home and away games this season, having taken 19 points from 12 matches at Fratton Park compared to the seven points they have taken from 14 road trips.

John Mousinho's side recorded a third consecutive home win in their most recent outing against Middlesbrough, with Matt Ritchie scoring twice to help his side come from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory.

As a result of that win, Portsmouth have now won five and drawn one of their last six home matches since suffering their most recent home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday on October 25.

Pompey will now turn their focus to Wednesday's contest, with the hosts looking for revenge after falling to a 6-1 defeat in October's reverse fixture at the bet365 Stadium.

However, claiming all three points may be easier said than done, having lost each of their last four head-to-head meetings since they recorded a 4-0 home victory in the EFL Cup in October 2009.

Robins has made a steady start to his tenure as Stoke boss, having avoided defeat in his opening three matches in all competitions.

The former Coventry City manager began his time in charge with a goalless draw against Plymouth Argyle, before his team claimed an extra-time away victory against Sunderland in the FA Cup third round.

The Potters had to be content with a point in Saturday's away clash against West Bromwich Albion, with Nathan Lowe seeing his ninth-minute opener cancelled out by Grady Diangana's 71st-minute equaliser.

While that result extended Stoke's unbeaten run to five competitive matches, the West Brom leveller denied Robins his first league victory in charge of the Potters.

Robins will be hoping to send that run in Wednesday's fixture, especially as the Potters have failed to win any of their last six away league games since beating Blackburn Rovers on November 6.

Stoke have won just one of their previous seven away meetings with Portsmouth (D1, L5), although that victory did take place on their most recent trip to Fratton Park in February 2010.

Portsmouth Championship form:

L

L

W

L

L

W

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

L

W

Stoke City Championship form:

L

L

W

D

D

D

Stoke City form (all competitions):

L

W

D

D

W

D

Team News

Portsmouth are unable to call upon Jacob Farrell, Conor Shaughnessy, Ibane Bowat, Regan Poole, Mark O'Mahony and Kusini Yengi.

Mousinho recently revealed that Paddy Lane is "likely" to miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury in last week's away defeat to Blackburn.

Right-back Zak Swanson is in contention for a recall after dropping down to the bench for Saturday's win over Middlesbrough.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Million Manhoef, Sol Sidibe, Jordan Thompson, Eric Bocat, Lynden Gooch and Sam Gallagher.

Bosun Lawal and Ben Pearson are said to be stepping up their injury recoveries, but the pair will not be ready to feature in Wednesday's fixture.

Lowe is set to retain his place in the starting lineup after finding the net in his first Stoke appearance since being recalled from his successful loan spell at Walsall.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

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

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Stevens; Seko, Burger; Moran, Baker, Koumas; Lowe

We say: Portsmouth 1-1 Stoke City

Written by

Ben Sully

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