Match Day Thread Peterborough Utd v Pompey

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Fratton Park was packed to the rafters on Monday night for an FA Cup fifth round contest with Arsenal.

But it is back to the bread and butter of League One football this weekend, as Pompey travel to Peterborough.

It is still a mighty contest, though, with both sides firmly in the hunt for promotion to the Championship.

Kenny Jackett’s men are in third spot and just three points adrift of the automatic places with 11 games remaining.

But the division is so tightly packed that they could conceivably finish the day outside the play-off positions.

Darren Ferguson’s Posh outfit are down in eighth place, but have only three fewer points than the Blues and a superior goal difference.

They are searching for a return to winning ways after collecting a single point from their past two outings.

It finished 2-2 when the sides met on the south coast back in December, with Lee Brown and Ellis Harrison on target for the hosts.

But Pompey enjoyed a 2-1 success when they visited London Road last season, courtesy of goals from Oli Hawkins and Jamal Lowe.

TEAM NEWS
Pompey currently have no injured players, although Bryn Morris is working his way back to full fitness following a long-term groin problem.

Christian Burgess is suspended for the next two games after collecting his 10th booking of the season against Rochdale.

Peterborough will likely welcome Ivan Toney back to their side, with League One’s top scorer returning from his own ban.

The hosts will be without defender Frankie Kent, who is not yet ready to feature after undergoing a successful knee operation.

Midfielder Reece Brown and striker Ricky-Jade Jones are expected to be available after overcoming knocks.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 11 wins
Peterborough: 8 wins
9 draws

At London Road
Pompey: 4 wins
Peterborough: 2 wins
6 draws

TICKETS
Pompey fans can secure tickets up until 3pm today (March 6), but there will be no sales on the day of the game.

OFFICIALS
Referee: John Busby
Assistants: Anthony Moore and Graeme Fyvie
Fourth Official: Joseph Johnson

BETTING
Peterborough are the 5/4 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 2/1.

 

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Jack Whatmough is handed his first league appearance since February 2019 against Doncaster. He replaces the suspended Christian Burgess.

Ellis Harrison is not in today's match-day 18, with his partner expecting their child.

 

Match kicks-off.

 

Attempt blocked. Dan Butler (Peterborough United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Slow start so far by both sides.

 

Cameron McGeehan flashes a right footed shot straight at keeper Christy Pym. 11 minutes.

 

Jack Whatmough booked for a foul. 15 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Tom Naylor (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ronan Curtis. 23 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Sammie Szmodics (Peterborough United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Siriki Dembélé. 24 minutes.

 

John Marquis shot pushed round the post by Pym. 26 minutes.

 

Attempt missed. Cameron McGeehan (Portsmouth) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. 30 minutes.

 

Former Pompey Youngster Dan Butler puts Peterborough 1-0 up. 32 minutes.

 

Fantastic save by Alex Bass from an Ivan Toney effort. 35 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Frazer Blake-Tracy (Peterborough United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Joe Ward. 36 minutes.