Preview: Portsmouth vs. Stevenage - prediction, team news, lineups

While the hosts currently sit top of the League One table, the visitors are seven points adrift in fifth position.

Match preview

Portsmouth may lead the way in the third tier of English football, but they head into the new year off the back of a poor run of results that began with a 5-2 defeat to AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy.

Pompey subsequently returned to league action with a 1-1 draw against Fleetwood Town, before they conceded in stoppage time to lose 2-1 to Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day.

Unfortunately for the South Coast side, they were unable to return to winning ways in Friday's trip to Devon, as they played out a goalless draw with relegation-threatened Exeter City.

As a result of their dip in form, Pompey have seen their lead at the top of the table cut to two points, while they are just four points clear of the teams chasing from outside the automatic promotion places.

While they will be targeting a win in Monday's encounter, Portsmouth will fancy their chances of picking up at least a point, having lost just one of their 12 home league games this season (W7, D4).

Unlike their hosts, Stevenage were not in action on Friday after their home clash with Cambridge United was postponed following a floodlight failure at the Lamex Stadium.

Although they were unable to take to the pitch against the U's, Stevenage did enjoy a successful home outing on Boxing Day when goals from Jamie Reid, Jordan Roberts and Elliott List helped their side clinch a commanding 3-0 victory over Northampton Town.

Having enjoyed a successful campaign up until this point, Steve Evans's side currently sit in the League One playoff positions, with five points seprating them from second-placed Bolton Wanderers, while they are one point clear of Barnsley in seventh spot.

Stevenage will be well aware of the tough task that awaits them on Monday, but they will take confidence from the fact they have lost just one of their previous 11 matches in the third tier (W6, D4).

Portsmouth League One form:

W

W

W

D

L

D

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

W

W

L

D

L

D

Stevenage League One form:

W

D

W

D

L

W

Stevenage form (all competitions):

D

W

W

D

L

W

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Team News

Pompey are still unable to call upon the services of Regan Poole, Connor Ogilvie, Zach Swanson, Tom Lowery and Tino Anjorin.

Wales international Joe Morrell and Norwich City loanee Abu Kamara could return to the side after dropping down to the bench against Exeter.

Colby Bishop will continue to lead the line for the home side, having scored 12 goals in his 22 league appearances this season.

As for the visitors, Evans could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup after seeing his side cruise past Northampton on Boxing Day.

The Stevenage squad boasts several players who will be familiar with Monday's opponents as Dan Butler, Nathan Thompson, Ben Thomspon and Louis Thompson have all previously plied their trade for Portsmouth.

Meanwhile, Reid will offer one of the visitors' main goal threats after scoring his 14th league goal of the season in the club's most recent outing.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Sparkes; Morrell, Pack; Kamara, Robertson, Lane; Bishop

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Harris; Wildin, Sweeney, Piergianni, Butler; L. Thompson, Burns; List, Freeman, Roberts; Reid

We say: Portsmouth 1-1 Stevenage

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