Match Day Thread MK Dons v Pompey

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Pompey will aim to bring the curtain down on 2019 with a positive outcome in Milton Keynes on Sunday.

Kenny Jackett’s side are full of festive cheer following successive home victories over Ipswich and Wycombe that have left them just three points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

Their next opponents, meanwhile, will be more concerned with trying to remain in League One than escape it.

MK Dons are currently sitting inside the drop zone, although are only a couple of points below the safety line.

They have won just one of their past 15 league fixtures, which included a run of five successive defeats.

Boss Paul Tisdale was sacked in that time, with Russell Martin – who was signed as a player back in January – chosen to replace him.

It was his predecessor that led the Buckinghamshire outfit back into the third tier, as they narrowly beat Mansfield on the final day of last season to pip their opponents to the final promotion spot.

Pompey enjoyed their most recent visit to Stadium MK in February 2018, as late goals from Matt Clarke and Conor Chaplin secured a dramatic 2-1 victory.

TEAM NEWS
Ryan Williams is set to miss the rest of Pompey’s festive programme after injuring his groin on Boxing Day.

Ross McCrorie (hamstring), Lee Brown (Achilles) and Brandon Haunstrup (meniscus) are also sidelined.

Bryn Morris (groin) is still in the treatment room, while Jack Whatmough is not yet ready for selection following his knee problem.

The hosts will be without defender Jordan Moore-Taylor (knee), but former Blues loanee Joe Mason could feature.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 2 wins
MK Dons: 0 wins
2 draws

At Stadium MK
Pompey: 1 win
MK Dons: 0 wins
1 draw

TICKET NEWS
Pompey fans will be able to buy tickets at Stadium MK on the day of the game.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Leigh Doughty
Assistants: Kevin Howick and Paul Lister
Fourth Official: Stuart Butler

BETTING
Pompey are the 17/20 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 3/1.

 

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MK Dons

• 1 Lee Nicholls
• 25 Callum Brittain
• 2 George Williams
• 4 Joe Walsh
• 3 Dean Lewington
• 24 Jordan Houghton
• 18 Conor McGrandles
• 29 David Kasumu
• 8 Alex Gilbey
• 10 Rhys Healey
• 20 Joe Mason

Substitutes

• 5 Regan Poole
• 6 Baily Cargill
• 7 Ben Reeves
• 14 Kieran Agard
• 22 Stuart Moore
• 26 Hiram Boateng
• 27 Sam Nombe

 

Match kicks off.

 

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Attempt blocked. Rhys Healey (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 3 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Ben Close (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcus Harness. 5 minutes.

Attempt missed. Tom Naylor (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. 5 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Marcus Harness (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Bolton. 6 minutes.

 

Attempt missed. Ellis Harrison (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the right side of the box. 11 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Close. 13 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Marcus Harness (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 15 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. James Bolton (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Close with a cross. 19 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Cannon. 23 minutes.

 

Attempt missed. Andrew Cannon (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner. 24 minutes.

 

Conor McGrandles (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul on Anton Walkes. 26 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Sean Raggett (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ben Close with a cross. 26 minutes.

 

1-0 to MK Dons completely against the run of play, after a Sean Raggett mistake. Rhys Healey scores. 35 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Alex Gilbey (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Mason. 38 minutes.

 

Attempt missed. Alex Gilbey (MK Dons) left footed shot from outside the box. 40 minutes.