It feels a long time since Pompey won at Hull to secure the Christmas number one spot in the third tier. The next two games – against Swindon and Bristol Rovers – were postponed following a Covid-19 outbreak, while last Saturday’s scheduled trip to Accrington fell victim to a frozen pitch. So Kenny Jackett will be relieved to see his side return to action this weekend – albeit with cup progress rather than league points on his mind. The Blues visit Ashton Gate to take on Championship opposition in the form of Bristol City on Sunday (1.30pm kick-off). And they have form against sides from that division, having knocked out Norwich and Barnsley in the past two seasons. The Robins are currently sitting 10th in the table and are just four points outside the play-off spots, having seen their most recent game also called off due to Covid. They are entering the FA Cup at this stage, while Pompey have already accounted for both Ipswich and King’s Lynn. It will be the first competitive meeting between the sides since a couple of goalless Championship draws during the 2011/12 campaign. Pompey were cup holders for a third round tie in January 2009, but needed a replay before triumphing 2-0 at Ashton Gate, courtesy of goals from Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar. There are no replays in the FA Cup this season, with extra-time and, if needed, penalties used to settle any ties that are level after 90 minutes. Clubs are now allowed to list nine substitutes on the bench and can use five of them (with an extra change allowed in extra-time). TEAM NEWS Pompey have no injury concerns, with Lee Brown having returned to full training following a hamstring injury. The latest round of Covid-19 testing – which will now become a twice-weekly occurrence – also revealed no further positive results in the Blues ranks. Cam Pring was recently recalled to Bristol City, but the left-back cannot feature on Sunday, as he has played in the competition for Pompey earlier in the season. The hosts will be without Kasey Palmer, who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19. They are also missing the injured trio of Jamie Paterson (groin), Callum O’Dowda (hamstring) and Marley Watkins (hamstring). HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 14 wins Bristol City: 21 wins 18 draws At Ashton Gate Pompey: 5 wins Bristol City: 14 wins 7 draws OFFICIALS Referee: Jarred Gillett Assistants: Nik Barnard and Ollie Williams Fourth Official: Antony Coggins BETTING Bristol City are the 3/4 favourites with VBET to reach the next round, while Pompey can be backed at evens.
Not a game I expect us to win and, to be quite frank, I won't be too bothered if we lose today. It's not as if a home tie with Man Utd or Liverpool in the next round would have the same atmosphere with an empty stadium. I would prefer us to do well in the EFL Trophy; a competition we can actually win. Incidentally, no side has ever won that two seasons running so Covid prevented us being the first last season.
I am hopefully watching the match live (and free) on FA Player, so will only be on here periodically during the game !
Lovely equalizer seconds before half time, made by Andy Cannon's pull back from the byline, and scored by young right back Callum Johnson - his first for the club.
The FA Cup years 2007-08. I'm surprised they didn't show any action involving Havant & Waterlooville!
Thought we shaded the second half, and Chris Martin scored their winning goal against the run of play. Never the less, we put up a good show against a pretty decent Championship team. Reckon that Kenny Jackett should have sent on Jordy Hiwula ten minutes earlier, in place of Michael Jacobs who looked out of sorts throughout the match. Why no sign of Ronan Curtis today ? Not even on the bench ! Are Pompey going to cash in on him during the transfer window ? Do hope not !
Good game - I felt we were very unlucky. As I said earlier though, I'm not overly disappointed that we are out of the cup. We have the EFL Trophy and a promotion push ahead of us and with the corona virus it's not a 100% certainty that the league season will be completed. With that in mind, our next few league games could prove to be of significant importance if it comes down to points per game in March again!
No complaints at all. Don't know if Bristol were trying but if we play like that in league 1 week in week out, we will piss the league.
Mixed feelings about the result. At least we know the quality of a typical Championship side should PFC get promotion. Just one query, where was Curtis? Did he have an argument with Jackett, or is he on the verge of being sold to a Championship/PL side?
As an aside - I hope you're keeping yourself safe Woops - I see that the Isle of Wight - Tier One before Christmas - now has over 1,000 cases per 100,000
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Bristol City ...........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 55% Away 45% Shots: Home 15 Away 17 Shots on Target: Home 4 Away 6 Corners: Home 4 Away 2 Fouls: Home 13 Away 11
