Portsmouth striker Oli Hawkins is expected to return for the Sky Bet League One clash with AFC Wimbledon. Hawkins missed the 5-2 victory at Fleetwood because of an ankle injury but his absence should be limited to one game. Gareth Evans was given a breather on the bench and could be brought back into the starting XI. "Gareth is a very hard-working midfield player and so I felt he needed a game out to top up those energy levels," boss Kenny Jackett said. AFC Wimbledon could be reinforced by the return from injury of James Hanson and Scott Wagstaff. The duo missed the goalless draw at Blackpool with respective hip and calf issues and their fitness is being assessed. Deji Oshilaja and Joe Pigott are still recovering from injuries and the New Year's Day showdown is likely to come too early for them. "We want to win games and keep clean sheets and if we do both we will be going places," boss Wally Downes said. Opta stats Portsmouth have won each of their last four league games against AFC Wimbledon since a goalless draw in November 2015. Since beating Portsmouth 4-0 in their first ever clash in the EFL in November 2013, AFC Wimbledon have only scored five goals in eight such meetings since (W2 D1 L5). Portsmouth have won five of their last six games at Fratton Park in all competitions, losing the other 1-2 to Charlton in December. AFC Wimbledon's 2-1 win at Wycombe in their last away league outing ended a run of seven straight away league losses; they could win back-to-back league matches on their travels for the first time since October 2016 (three straight wins). HEAD TO HEAD Overall* Pompey: 15 wins AFC Wimbledon: 14 wins 9 draws At Fratton Park* Pompey: 9 wins AFC Wimbledon: 5 wins 5 draws BETTING Pompey are the 8/15 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 5/1.
Portsmouth v AFC Wimbledon: early team news Kenny Jackett is without his first-choice full-backs for the visit of AFC Wimbledon. Lee Brown picked up an early hamstring injury in the 5-2 win at Fleetwood and was replaced by Brandon Haunstrup on the left-hand side of defence. The academy product is set to feature in that role against the Wombles. Brown joins regular right-back Nathan Thompson on the sidelines, who collected the same setback in the defeat to Gillingham on Boxing Day. Anton Walkes will again start in his place after netting the decisive goal against the Cod Army. Pompey are also sweating on Oli Hawkins to face Wally Downes’ side. The striker travelled with the Blues to the Highbury Stadium on Saturday but failed a late fitness test. Jackett is optimistic Hawkins will return swiftly return to the reckoning, though. Improving Wimbledon come to Fratton Park looking to continue their upwardly-mobile form. And they will have two former Pompey players in their ranks as they aim to make it four games unbeaten since Downes’ appointment at the start of the month. Andy Barcham and Jake Jervis are both expected to start as the Dons aim to build on a first clean sheet in six games. Powerful striker James Hanson missed Saturday’s clash with Blackpool with a hip injury and is likely to be out.
If we lose then anti's got a lot of explaining to do for not having a prediction round for me to predict a womble win
That's a bit rich Devo its hard enough getting you to predict a weekend round let alone burdening you with midweek one - tell you what seeing you are that far behind due to absenteeism you may predict Wednesday's game and if correct it will be wither a 3 or a 1 - that's your New Years bonus.........
Agree Meowth, but at the end of the day, a win is a win. 3 more points gives us 57 for the season. We're on our way !!
Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth........Away Team: Wimbledon Possession: Home 54% Away 46% Shots: Home 11 Away 6 Shots on Target: Home 7 Away 4 Corners: Home 4 Away 5 Fouls: Home 8 Away 11
