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

The visitors, who currently sit in the relegation zone, will be will looking to end a four-game winless run in all competitions.

Match preview

While Portsmouth have only lost one of their last 11 games in all competitions, they have failed to win any of their previous five league matches.

After playing out four consecutive draws in League One, Pompey were beaten 2-0 by Wycombe Wanderers in their most recent league game.

Although Pompey's away meeting with Accrington Stanley last weekend was postponed, they progressed to the EFL Trophy quarter-finals during the week with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Stevenage.

Jay Mingi, Josh Koroma and Joe Pigott all got on the scoresheet to guide Portsmouth to a commanding win that ensured they are still yet to lose a competitive home game this season.

Pompey will now turn their attention back to league matters, with Danny Cowley's side currently sitting two points adrift of the top six, and after beating MK Dons in the FA Cup second round at the end of November, they will be confident of claiming a victory that could move them into the playoffs, depending on results elsewhere.

Meanwhile, MK Dons are currently searching for a permanent manager after Liam Manning was relieved of his duties following last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Fleetwood Town.

Manning guided MK Dons to a third-place finish in League One last term, but he was unable to continue that success into this season, with the club currently five points adrift of safety.

MK Dons' captain Dean Lewington has been placed in interim charge, and he was given a rude awakening when he oversaw a 4-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy during the week.

Saturday's visitors will now turn their attention to league matters, and if they are to avoid relegation this season, they need to improve upon a run of form that has seen them win only one of their last 11 matches in League One.

They will also be keen to improve upon their recent away performances after losing their last three away games in all competitions

Portsmouth League One form:

W

D

D

D

D

L

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

D

D

W

W

L

W

MK Dons League One form:

W

D

L

L

D

L

MK Dons form (all competitions):

L

W

L

D

L

L

Team News

The hosts are still expected to be without the services of Tom Lowery, Joe Rafferty, Louis Thompson and Jayden Reid due to injury issues.

Michael Jacobs returned from a spell on the sidelines to feature as a substitute against Stevenage, and he is expected to be on the bench for Saturday's contest.

Cowley made a number of changes for the midweek EFL Trophy win, but the likes of Sean Raggett, Marlon Pack, Dane Scarlett and Colby Bishop will be brought back into the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, the captain and interim boss is unavailable to play a role on the pitch, with Lewington currently awaiting surgery on an injury issue.

Mo Eisa was one of a number of players that dropped out of the side for the EFL Trophy defeat to Bristol Rovers, but after coming off the bench to score a late spot-kick he is expected to lead the line on Saturday.

Daniel Harvie, Warren O'Hora and Conor Grant are among those that could return to the starting lineup against Portsmouth.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Griffiths; Morrison, Raggett, Robertson; Dale, Mingi, Pack, Ogilvie; Hackett; Bishop, Scarlett

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Watson, Tucker, O'Hora, Harvie; Devoy, McEachran; Barry, Grant, Holland; Eisa

We say: Portsmouth 2-1 MK Dons

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