Match Day Thread Pompey v Wycombe Wanderers

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The Fratton faithful will be hoping to unwrap a belated Christmas present of three points on Boxing Day.

But Pompey will have to see off the League One leaders to ensure the festive feeling does not fall flat.

Wycombe are the surprise pacesetters – at least according to the bookies – and currently hold a seven-point advantage over nearest challengers Peterborough.

It means that whatever happens over the next few days, they will definitely be in top spot at the start of 2020.

Gareth Ainsworth’s men have the meanest defence in the division, with just 15 goals conceded in 21 games.

Their best form has come at Adams Park, however, and – like the Blues – they are unbeaten on home soil.

But the Chairboys have only won three games on their travels and were beaten 1-0 at Oxford on Saturday.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men when Wanderers narrowly won a poor quality contest back in September, while last season’s Fratton meeting ended 2-2.

TEAM NEWS
Ross McCrorie will miss Pompey’s Christmas fixtures after limping off with a hamstring injury on Saturday.

Lee Brown (Achilles) and Brandon Haunstrup (meniscus) will also be out for the rest of 2019 after undergoing operations.

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

Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa serves a one-match ban after getting sent off at the weekend, but former Blues loanee David Wheeler could feature.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 4 wins
Wycombe: 4 wins
5 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 2 wins
Wycombe: 2 wins
3 draws

TICKETS
Fratton Park is full to capacity for Thursday’s game.

OFFICIALS
Referee: John Busby
Assistants: Simon Shaw and Gregory Read
Fourth Official: Adrian Quelch

BETTING
Pompey are the 4/5 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 16/5.

 

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Wycombe

• 1 Ryan Allsop
• 2 Sido Coelho Jombati
• 5 Anthony Stewart
• 21 Darius Charles
• 3 Joe Jacobson
• 18 Curtis Thompson
• 28 Nmamdi Ofoborh
• 22 Nick Freeman
• 26 Rolando Aarons
• 25 Alex Samuel
• 17 Paul Smyth

Substitutes

• 7 David Wheeler
• 8 Alex Pattison
• 10 Matt Bloomfield
• 11 Scott Kashket
• 13 Cameron Yates
• 16 Giles Phillips
• 27 Josh Parker

 

Referee blows his whistle, and the match kicks off.

 

Attempt missed. Ryan Williams (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ellis Harrison with a headed pass. 5 minutes.

 

Ryan Williams goes off after a heavy tackle, to be replaced by Marcus Harness. 8 minutes.

 

Attempt missed. Ben Close (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Andy Cannon following a corner. 9 minutes.

 

Ellis Harrison receives a yellow card for a foul on Joe Jacobson. 13 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Nick Freeman (Wycombe Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Paul Smyth. 17 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Anton Walkes (Portsmouth) left footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ronan Curtis. 26 minutes.

 

Wycombe player Curtis Thompson goes down for the 4th time, to slow the game down. Wycombe eventually take him off to loud boos from the home crowd, and he is replaced by Alex Pattison. 27 minutes.

 

Ronan Curtis booked by the referee for simulation, after it appeared he was tripped in full flight by Joe Jacobson. 35 minutes.

 

45 minutes up - 6 minutes added on !

 

Tom Naylor booked for a foul on Darius Charles. 45 + 3 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Ellis Harrison (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Andrew Cannon. 45+6 minutes.

 

Half time whistle goes. 0-0. Pompey have had the best of the first half according to the commentators on Radio Solent.

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Half Time Match Stats:-

Home Team: Portsmouth ..........Away Team: Wycombe

Possession:

Home 61%
Away 39%

Shots:

Home 4
Away 1

Shots on Target:

Home 2
Away 1

Corners:

Home 3
Away 9

Fouls:

Home 6
Away 8

 

Second half kicks off.

 

Attempt missed. James Bolton (Portsmouth) header from very close range is just a bit too high. Assisted by Ben Close with a cross following a corner. 49 minutes.