Preview: Portsmouth vs. Port Vale - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are aiming to secure their first away win since New Year's Day after picking up just two points from their last five away matches.

Match preview

Portsmouth have bounced back from two straight defeats to claim consecutive away victories against Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers.

After sweeping aside Accrington via a 3-1 scoreline, Pompey recorded a 2-0 win against Bristol Rovers last weekend thanks to a Colby Bishop brace.

John Mousinho's side head into the weekend in ninth position in the League One table, with seven points separating them from sixth-placed Bolton Wanderers, who have played a game more.

With nine matches to play, Pompey's hopes of reaching the playoffs may be slim, but with Bolton not in action this weekend, they have the chance to reduce the gap to four points.

Pompey also have the opportunity to complete a league double over Port Vale after beating Saturday's opponents 1-0 when the two sides met in August.

Unlike their hosts, Port Vale have found wins hard to come by in recent times, having won just two of their last 13 league matches.

Prior to last Saturday's home meeting with Burton Albion, the Valiants had picked up four points from two matches, but they were unable to make it three games without defeat.

Ellis Harrison gave Port Vale an early lead, before a Daniel Taylor brace and a Johnny Smith spot-kick swung the game in Burton's favour.

Darrell Clarke's side halved the deficit in the 80th minute through Jamie Proctor, but an equaliser ultimately proved elusive, ensuring Port Vale fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat.

Despite enduring a poor run of form, the Valiants are nine points clear of the relegation zone and are set to avoid an immediate return to League Two, however, they will be keen to improve on their travels after failing to win any of their last five matches.

Portsmouth League One form:

W

W

L

L

W

W

Port Vale League One form:

W

L

L

W

D

L

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Zach Swanson, Clark Robertson, Marlon Pack, Jay Mingi and Ronan Curtis due to injury issues.

They are also unable to call upon Joe Pigott, who will serve the second game of a three-match ban.

Having scored three goals in Pompey's last two games, Bishop will be aiming to find the net in a third consecutive match when he leads the line.

As for the visitors, Ben Garrity could feature in the matchday squad after missing the last two games through injury.

Gavin Massey and James Wilson both returned from injuries to feature as substitutes against Port Vale, and the pair may have to settle for places on the bench once again.

Harrison has top-scored for Port Vale this season with 10 league goals, and he will be looking to find the net against his former club on Saturday.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Macey; Rafferty, Raggett, Towler, Ogilvie; Thompson, Morrell; Lane, Jacobs, Hackett; Bishop

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Stone; Agyakwa, Smith, Donnelly; Worrall, Ojo, Pett, Conlon, Robinson; Taylor, Harrison

We say: Portsmouth 2-1 Port Vale

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