Pompey require a win to keep their fading play-off hopes alive when they visit Oxford this evening (7.45pm kick-off). And their opponents are in an even more desperate need for points as they try to keep their heads above water. United are currently sitting 20th in the League One standings, with goal difference the only factor keeping them out of the drop zone. You have to go all the way back to January to find their last victory – against an Ipswich side currently vying for the title. Oxford are currently on a 15-match winless run, with Karl Robinson’s five-year tenure coming to an end a couple of months ago. He was replaced by Liam Manning, who helped steady the ship slightly by overseeing a run of four successive draws that ended with Saturday’s narrow home defeat to Bolton. And there will, of course, be a familiar face in the away dug-out, with John Mousinho leaving his player/coach with United to take charge of Pompey early in 2023. It finished 1-1 when the sides met on the south coast earlier in the season, as Colby Bishop cancelled out Kyle Joseph’s opener. But United triumphed 3-2 in last term’s controversial Kassam Stadium contest – which Mousinho featured in – as the 10-man Blues conceded two late goals. TEAM NEWS Ronan Curtis (knee), Jayden Reid (knee) and Zak Swanson (groin) remain sidelined, while Joe Morrell serves the third game of a four-match ban. Tom Lowery missed the trip to Shrewsbury with a minor knee problem and Tuesday’s match probably comes too soon for the midfielder. Sam Baldock (knee), Billy Bodin (hamstring), James Henry (hamstring) and Stephan Negru (face) are all missing for the hosts. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 27 wins Oxford: 24 wins 22 draws On the road Pompey: 9 wins Oxford: 19 wins 10 draws TICKETS Pompey fans will not be able to purchase tickets at the ground this evening. Click here to read a guide to visiting the Kassam Stadium that has been produced by the home club. OFFICIALS Referee: Declan Bourne Assistants: Mark Derrien and Mark Pottage Fourth Official: Gareth Viccars MATCH COVERAGE Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre. Domestic iFollow subscribers can enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham as usual, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game. Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device. We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story. There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Wednesday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not available online).
Half time score is 1-1, after a frenetic first half. We took the lead in the 26th minute with a superb free kick from distance into the roof of the night. They equalised in the 37th minute with a header from a corner kick by Long. We have somewhat suprisingly had 4 bookings so far - Paddy Lane for allegedly diving, DiShon Bernard for a foul in a 50/50 challenge, Tom Lowery for an extremely soft "foul", and then Sean Raggett for another 50/50 challenge ! The referee has given most of the 50/50 decisions to the home team !
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Oxford Utd ......Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 42% Away 58% Shots: Home 9 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 2 Corners: Home 3 Away 1 Fouls: Home 9 Away 9
We do struggle to score more than oñe goal.per match, or so it seems. Very disappointing to be only second to.Lincoln in the number of drawn matches. Five more bookings so far, so we must be topping the table for indiscipline by a country wide mile!! Time to being in Mottoh, Bridgman and Jewitt-White!!
Final score. 1-1 draw. Oxford possibly deserved the win, but a combination of Matt Macey playing well in goal, and their wayward shooting produced yet another draw. The home team had Brannigan booked in the second half, and we had two more yellows for Joe Rafferty and Louis Thompson. Pompey brought on Owen Dale for Paddy Lane, and Louis Thompson and Reeco Hackett for Ryan Tunnicliffe and Michael Jacobs. Joe Pigott came on for Tom Lowery near the end of the match. We can't buy a win at the moment, but at least we aren't losing matches.
We are finishing in no-man's land. Nowhere near the play-offs, adrift of Wycombe by three and six in front of Charlton. No oñe likes to be around us!!
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Oxford Utd ........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 40% Away 60% Shots: Home 21 Away 6 Shots on Target: Home 4 Away 4 Corners: Home 10 Away 4 Fouls: Home 14 Away 13
