Preview: Portsmouth vs. Burton Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

The promotion-chasing hosts are sitting top of the table, while Burton are hovering just above the drop zone in 20th place.

Match preview

Portsmouth may have extended their undefeated streak to 10 games with Saturday's goalless draw against Blackpool, but they would have been frustrated to leave Bloomfield Road with just a point after playing the second half with a numerical advantage following Jordan Rhodes's red card.

Nevertheless, John Mousinho's side are still well set to achieve promotion this season, with a five-point cushion to second-placed Derby County and a six-point buffer to Bolton Wanderers in third spot.

They can also be pleased with their defensive resilience, having conceded no more than one goal in any of their previous seven outings.

After winning each of their last four home matches, Pompey will fancy their chances of beating Burton on Tuesday, especially as they boast an encouraging head-to-head record.

Portsmouth have won each of their previous four meetings with the Brewers, including a 2-0 victory in November's trip to the Pirelli Stadium.

As for Burton, they have picked up just one point from four matches since edging out Leyton Orient in the middle of February.

Their winless run has been made up of one away draw and three home defeats, with their most recent loss taking place against promotion-chasing Peterborough United at the weekend.

Burton looked on course to collect a point when Ademola Ola-Adebomi cancelled out Ricky Jade-Jones's opener, but the Posh ultimately netted two late goals to condemn Martin Paterson's side to another home defeat.

Although they are sitting just outside the drop zone, the Brewers still have a useful five-point cushion over 21st-placed Cheltenham Town.

With Burton set to turn their focus to a difficult challenge against Portsmouth, they can take encouragement from their recent form on the road, having avoided defeat in each of their last four away matches.

Portsmouth League One form:

W

W

W

D

W

D

Burton Albion League One form:

W

W

L

L

D

L

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without Tom McIntyre, Regan Poole, Tom Lowery, Ben Stevenson, Alex Robertson, Joe Morrell, Terry Devlin and Tino Anjorin.

Conor Ogilvie missed Saturday's goalless draw with a knee injury, and the left-back is expected to be out of action for up to four weeks.

There are also doubts surrounding the availability of Jack Sparkes and Callum Lang, who were both forced off in the second half against Blackpool.

Meanwhile, Burton trio Mason Bennett, Sam Hughes and Jasper Moon are all making progress in their respective injury recoveries, but they are unlikely to return in time for Tuesday's contest.

Ola-Adebomi could be recalled to the starting lineup after he came off the bench to find the net in the 3-1 defeat to Shrewsbury.

Mark Helm dropped down to the bench at the weekend, but the midfielder is likely to return to the fold to start against the league leaders.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Norris; Rafferty, Shaughnessy, Raggett, Lane; Pack, Moxon; Kamara, Saydee, Peart-Harris; Bishop

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Hammer, Nsiala, Brayford, Sweeney, Bola; Oshilaja, Powell, Helm; Ola-Adebomi, Hugill

We say: Portsmouth 3-1 Burton Albion

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