Preview: Cardiff City vs. Portsmouth - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have started the season with a 1-0 win and 2-1 defeat, while Pompey head into the midweek contest off the back of consecutive draws.

Match preview

In his first full season as Cardiff boss, Steve Morison oversaw an opening day victory at home to recently relegated Norwich City.

Romaine Sawyers scored the crucial goal in that contest, but there was not to be a Cardiff winner on Saturday when the Bluebirds travelled to Berkshire for a meeting with Reading.

Callum O'Dowda gave the visitors an early lead, but Shane Long equalised from the spot in the 27th minute before Tom Ince found the winning goal in the second half to condemn the Bluebirds to a 2-1 defeat.

Despite losing away at the weekend, Cardiff have the chance to begin the season with consecutive home victories when they face Portsmouth in midweek.

They will also be motivated to continue their recent record in the EFL cup after reaching the second-round in four of the last five seasons.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the season after drawing their opening two league games.

Danny Cowley's side will be targeting a playoff place this season, and they began their campaign with an entertaining 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.

Goals from Conor Ogilvie, Michael Jacobs and Colby Bishop looked set to help Portsmouth claim a 3-2 victory, but Tom Dele-Bashiru equalised in the 81st minute to deny Pompey all three points.

A rather less dramatic encounter followed on Saturday when Portsmouth played out a goalless draw against Cowley's former club Lincoln City.

Pompey will now turn their attention to Tuesday's EFL Cup contest where they will be aiming to avoid a first-round exit for the second straight season.

Cardiff City form (all competitions):

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

Team News

Cardiff will be without the injured Ruben Colwill, although Perry Ng could return to the side after serving a one-match suspension.

Kion Etete came off the bench on Saturday to make his debut for the club, and he could be presented with his first start for the Bluebirds on Tuesday.

With the Championship a priority, Morison could make a few changes to the lineup, which could result in Mark Harris, Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Joe Ralls coming into the starting lineup.

As for Portsmouth, they are still unable to call upon Joe Morrell and Clark Robertson, who are sidelined with injury issues.

Tom Lowery and Owen Dale recently joined the club, and the pair could be given their debuts on Tuesday.

Like the hosts, Cowley could make a number of alterations, which could mean that Jay Mingi, Ronan Curtis and Dane Scarlett will all come into the starting lineup.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Alnwick; Romeo, Nelson, Kipre, Collins; Wintle, Ralls; Etete, Sawyers, Philogene-Bidace; Harris

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Oluwayemi; Swanson, Morrison, Raggett, Ogilvie; Dale, Mingi, Lowery, Curtis; Bishop, Scarlett

We say: Cardiff City 1-0 Portsmouth

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