We preview Saturday’s big game…
Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 5th March 2016
The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage, SG2 8RH
Referee: Kevin Johnson
Kick-off: 3pm
Ticket news:
Saturday is a Category A game. All away tickets have sold out and there will be no sales on the day for Portsmouth fans.
Tickets are available for all home areas of the ground at in-advance prices until 5pm on Friday in the club shop or online at www.borotickets.co.uk until 11.59pm on Friday.
Please see our Match Pack for details on match day prices and other FAQs about Saturday's game.
Shop news:
Team news:
Striker Aaron O'Connor is a doubt for Stevenage after limping off against Exeter City last weekend with a calf injury. Ben Kennedy, Adam Marriott, Jerome Okimo and Dean Wells all impressed in the midweek 4-0 reserves win over QPR following their recent comebacks from injury, whilst Dale Gorman will also be hoping his goal in that game pushes him into first team contention.
Portsmouth expect to recall attacking trio Adam McGurk (back), Gary Roberts (hamstring) and Michael Smith (calf) for Saturday's game after all missed the last two games through injury.
View from the dressing room:
The story so far…
Portsmouth come into this game in fifth position in Sky Bet League 2 on 53 points, level with Bristol Rovers (6th) and Leyton Orient (7th) and just a point ahead of AFC Wimbledon and Wycombe.
A bright start to the season saw Pompey lost just once in their opening 15 games and just three times before the turn of the year, however turning draws into wins has been their main problem with 14 stalemates thus far, the most in League 2.
They come into this game with two wins from their last seven games - both home victories against Cambridge and Bristol Rovers - but draws on the road at Exeter, Yeovil and Morecambe, plus a 1-0 defeat at Barnet, have dented ambitions for automatic promotion.
They have also failed to win away in the league since a surprise 2-1 win at Northampton back in December.
Our last meeting...
Stevenage grabbed a late point with an injury time equaliser at Fratton Park back in October. Connor Chaplin looked to have won the game for Pompey with a 77th minute strike, only for sub Brett Williams to snatch a point with a 94th minute header.
Head to Head:
Stevenage have met Portsmouth on seven previous occasions and perhaps surprisingly have the upper hand on the former FA Cup winners, with three wins compared to Pompey's two, with two draws. Stevenage have also won their last three home fixtures against Portsmouth, including a 1-0 win last season courtesy of this strike from Tom Pett.
Betting with Sky Bet:
Stevenage are 4/1 underdogs tomorrow with Sky Bet, with Portsmouth 3/4 for an away win.
Byron Harrison is 7/1 to score first and 33/1 to score in the opening 10 minutes, which might seen attractive considering Boro's early dominance in recent games. Adam Marriott has been lively in reserves games over the past fortnight and he is 8/1 to be the last goalscorer. Meanwhile Pompey's Mark McNulty is 5/1 to score first.
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Live commentary, social media & online coverage:
Can’t make it? Listen to the game live on the Boro Player HD service from 14:50 tomorrow. Our Twitter page is the place to be locked in on a matchday as we provide live minute-by-minute updates during the game as well as all of the up-to-date info and plenty of fun too. Our Facebook page will provide team news and updates at half-time and full-time, whilst if you aren’t following us on Instagram yet then you should be – all the best photos from before, during and after the game will be uploaded here across the weekend.