There are dramatic final days of the season – and then there is the way that Bristol Rovers secured promotion last term. They needed to collect all three points back in May and enjoy a five-goal swing to pip Northampton to the final automatic spot. It seemed unlikely with the Cobblers enjoying a 3-1 victory, only for the Gas to smash seven unanswered goals past already relegated Scunthorpe. That ensured their stay in the basement level of English football would be limited to a single campaign. Joey Barton’s men have made a mixed start to the current season, with two victories and two defeats – including Tuesday night’s reverse at Barnsley. They were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the first round after losing at League Two outfit Crawley. Rovers have only ever won twice at Fratton Park and their most recent success came all the way back in 1975. The last clash was a League One affair back in April 2021, with Ronan Curtis netting the only goal on the south coast. TEAM NEWS Denver Hume, Joe Morrell and skipper Clark Robertson have all returned to full training and could feature. It leaves Jayden Reid (hamstring) as the only member of Danny Cowley’s squad currently in the treatment room. John Marquis could feature against his former club after making a summer switch to Bristol Rovers from Lincoln. The visitors are missing James Gibbons (foot), but Josh Grant is likely to be available after missing the midweek trip to Barnsley. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 24 wins Bristol Rovers: 12 wins 10 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 16 wins Bristol Rovers: 2 wins 4 draws TICKETS There is now extremely limited availability for Saturday’s game, so click here to secure your seat. Please note that there are no train services to Portsmouth stations because of national rail strikes. OFFICIALS Referee: Gavin Ward Assistants: George Byrne and Greg Read Fourth Official: Stuart Butler MATCH COVERAGE Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Paul Robinson by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM. BETTING Pompey are the 7/10 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 7/2.
I actually put us to win in the prediction game; something I rarely do, so my apologies if the hoodoo causes us to lose today
A monster Marlon Pack throw is met by Sean Raggett, whose looping header is comfortably claimed by James Belshaw. 2 minutes.
The corner comes in from Michael Jacobs, but Colby Bishop's header is straight at James Belshaw. 14 minutes.
Louis Thompson badly fouled by Glen Whelan. Carried off on a stretcher. Currently receiving oxygen. Looks like he is on his way to hospital ! 18 minutes.
Michael and Ronan Curtis combine to tee-up Tom Lowery, but he can't guide his shot on target. 30 minutes.
1-0 with a header from Conor Ogilvie from a corner by Michael Jacobs. That's his third goal of the season! 32 minutes.
Yet another Michael Jacobs corner and it's only partially clear, but when the ball comes back in, Michael Morrison fires wide. 45 + 2 minutes.
Half time whistle, and it's 1-0 to Pompey. Commentators on Radio Solent are saying that it looks like Louis Thompson may have a broken leg
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .............Away Team: Bristol Rovers Possession: Home 42% Away 58% Shots: Home 9 Away 2 Shots on Target: Home 3 Away 0 Corners: Home 6 Away 1 Fouls: Home 4 Away 7
