Preview: Portsmouth vs. MK Dons - prediction, team news, lineups

They both recorded victories in the EFL Trophy in midweek, and as a result, Pompey and MK Dons will be searching for consecutive victories.

Match preview

Portsmouth fell out of the League One playoff places last weekend following a goalless home draw against Derby County.

That result represented their four consecutive league draw, but in cup competitions, they have managed to record a number of victories.

They swept aside Hereford via a 3-1 scoreline to book their place in the second round of the FA Cup, while in their most recent outing, they beat Ipswich 2-0 in the EFL Trophy.

Dane Scarlett found the net moments before half time to give Danny Cowley's side a slender lead, before Zak Swanson wrapped up the win with a 94th-minute strike, helping Pompey seal their place in the third round of the EFL Trophy.

Pompey will look to maintain their unbeaten home record in all competitions this season when they face MK Dons, although their last five home matches have finished all square after regulation time.

Meanwhile, MK Dons have endured a difficult League One campaign after picking up just 14 points from 18 games, leaving them in the relegation zone.

In their last two league games, they lost 3-1 to both Derby County and Barnsley, and that scoreline was replicated in their midweek EFL Trophy tie against Newport County, but it was MK Dons who managed to emerge victorious on that occasion.

Darragh Burns opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Matthew Dennis and Will Grigg added their names to the scoresheet, ensuring that their side progressed to the third round despite Newport scoring a late consolation thanks to a Jack Tucker own goal.

Liam Manning will now aim to guide his side to another cup victory on Saturday after MK Dons booked their place in the FA Cup second round with a 6-0 win over Taunton Town earlier this month.

Having avoided defeat in four of their last six away games, MK Dons will be confident of at least taking the second round tie to a replay.

Portsmouth FA Cup form:

W

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

D

W

W

D

D

W

MK Dons FA Cup form:

W

MK Dons form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

L

W

Team News

Portsmouth are unable to call upon the services of Tom Lowery, Louis Thompson and Jayden Reid due to injury issues, while Joe Morrell is away at the World Cup with Wales.

Cowley rotated his side for the win over Ipswich, but he could name a similar lineup to the one that began the goalless draw against Derby.

Colby Bishop is expected to feature in the forward line for Pompey, and he will be looking to add to the 11 goals that he has scored in all competitions this season.

As for the visitors, they made a number of changes to the side for the midweek cup game, but the likes of Zak Jules and Dean Lewington are set to return to the lineup.

Josh McEachran will also be brought back into the starting XI, and he is expected to partner Bradley Johnson in central midfield.

Grigg has dropped down to the bench for MK Dons' last two competitive games, but he could be given the responsibility of leading the line on Saturday.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Griffiths; Swanson, Raggett, Robertson, Ogilvie; Dale, Tunnicliffe, Pack, Koroma; Bishop, Scarlett

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Cumming; O'Hora, Lewington, Jules; Lawrence, Johnson, McEachran, Harvie; Barry, Holland, Grigg

We say: Portsmouth 1-1 MK Dons

Although Portsmouth are unbeaten at home this season, their last five home games have finished all square after 90 minutes, and we think that they will play out another draw on Saturday, which would send the second-round tie to a replay.

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