Portsmouthvs.Swansea

The Swans begin the new year in ninth place in the Championship table, while relegation-threatened Pompey are languishing in 23rd position.

Match preview

Pompey are sitting two points adrift from safety after winning four, drawing eight and losing 10 of their 22 league games this season.

John Mousinho's side experienced a disappointing end to 2024, conceding in stoppage time in a 2-1 away defeat to Watford, before falling to a heavy 3-0 loss in Sunday's clash against Bristol City.

They conceded all three goals inside the opening 35 minutes at Ashton Gate, taking them to 29 goals conceded in 12 away league games - only Plymouth Argyle have conceded more on the road this season.

Having seen their winless away run stretch to seven matches, Pompey will be looking forward to starting the new year at Fratton Park, especially as they are unbeaten in their last four home games.

Pompey took maximum points from three of those four home matches, scoring at least three goals in each of those victories against Preston North End, Bristol City and Coventry City.

They may fancy their chances of taking something from their game against Swansea, having avoided defeat in each of their previous 12 head-to-head league meetings (W4, D8), including a 2-2 draw in November's reverse fixture.

Swansea will carry momentum into the new year after bouncing back from consecutive defeats to claim successive home victories in their final two outings of 2024.

After thrashing Queens Park Rangers 3-0 on Boxing Day, the Swans went on to claim a narrow 2-1 victory in Sunday's clash with 10-man Luton Town on Sunday.

Goncalo Franco cancelled out Carlton Morris's opener to send the two sides into the break on level terms, before Luton's Joe Johnson was given his marching orders in the 68th minute.

The Swans ultimately made full use of the numerical advantage, with substitute Myles Peart-Harris netting a 91st-minute winner to secure back-to-back home league wins for the first time this season, moving the Welsh side to within four points of the playoffs.

Swansea will now turn their focus to Wednesday's trip to Fratton Park, with the visitors looking to claim their first league win over Pompey since recording a 4-0 victory in December 1960.

The opening goal could be crucial for Swansea's chances claiming all three points, having scored first in all four of their away league wins this season.

Portsmouth Championship form:

W

D

L

W

L

L

Swansea City Championship form:

D

W

L

L

W

W

Team News

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

Jacob Farrell, Jordan Williams and Harvey Blair appear to be close to returning to action, but the trio may struggle to be ready for the New Year's Day fixture.

After rotating his side at Ashton Gate, Mousinho is likely to recall Zach Swanson, Freddie Potts, Callum Lang and Josh Murphy.

As for the visitors, they remain without the services of Joe Allen, Sam Parker, Ollie Cooper, Kristian Pedersen and Josh Ginnelly.

Franco is set to miss the upcoming away trip after being forced off with a facial injury in Sunday's win over Luton.

Jay Fulton is likely to replace Franco in the middle of the park, while Peart-Harris could be rewarded with a starting spot after he came off the bench to score the winner at the weekend.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

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

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Vigouroux; Key, Cabango, Darling, Tymon; Fulton, Grimes; Peart-Harris, Cullen, Eom; Bianchini

We say: Portsmouth 1-1 Swansea City

Written by

Ben Sully

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