Pompey return to Fratton Park this evening to take on a resurgent Burton side in League One (7.45pm kick-off). Dino Maamria has turned the club around since replacing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in September following a disastrous start to the season. They were rooted to the bottom of the table at the time and his first game in charge was a 2-0 defeat to the Blues at the Pirelli Stadium. But the Brewers began to accumulate points and climbed out of the drop zone for the first time after beating Forest Green in the final fixture of 2022. A poor start to the new year meant they quickly fell back into it, only for three successive wins to ensure the Staffordshire outfit head to the south coast in 18th position. The most recent of those was a narrow home victory over Exeter at the weekend, with Sam Winnall coming off the bench to grab the only goal late on. Four of their previous six visits to Pompey’s patch have ended all square, although the hosts did come out on top last term. Sean Raggett and Michael Jacobs were on target that night, with Gassan Ahadme grabbing an Albion consolation on his Fratton return. TEAM NEWS Pompey are waiting to see if Matt Macey has recovered from the illness that kept him out of Saturday’s trip to Plymouth. Joe Rafferty is available for selection again following a long-term stomach injury, while Ronan Curtis (ankle) has returned to full training. But the Blues are still without Tom Lowery (hamstring), Jay Mingi (knee), Jayden Reid (knee), Clark Robertson (hip) and Zak Swanson (groin). Former Fratton keeper Craig MacGillivray is expected to start for the visitors, while Gassan could also feature against his former club. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 5 wins Burton: 3 wins 4 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 1 win Burton: 1 win 4 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure tickets online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office. Subject to availability, they can also be bought this evening from the ticket booth behind the Fratton End. The Victory Bar and external North Stand concourse are open from 5pm, while there is a DJ in the Fanzone. If you are travelling to the game by train, please be aware of the current line closure between Guildford and Petersfield. OFFICIALS Referee: Tim Robinson Assistants: Bhupinder Singh Gill and Robert Merchant Fourth Official: Lee Swabey 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 also enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Mark Kelly 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. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not available online). BETTING Pompey are the 8/11 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 7/2.
So, Pompey still missing keeper Matt Macey who is yet to recover from illness, with both skipper Marlon Pack and DI'Shon Bernard failing fitness tests. Joe Rafferty returns from injury, and winger Paddy Lane makes his full debut. In goal for Burton is ex-Pompey keeper Craig MacGillivray, but ex-Pompey striker Gassan Ahadme is unavailable for the visitors.
Half time score is 0-0. Burton have clearly come here for a draw !! .....They have been extremely dirty, with the referee awarding us with free kicks galore following their 'aggressive' play. They have only had three yellow cards, with Zac Ashworth booked in the 36th minute for his umpteenth foul on Owen Dale, and Oshilaja for a foul on Joe Morrell after 45 + 1 minute, and Jasper Moon for yet another foul on Owen Dale !
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Burton Possession: Home 73% Away 27% Shots: Home 7 Away 2 Shots on Target: Home 3 Away 1 Corners: Home 3 Away 2 Fouls: Home 2 Away 14
Final whistle. Well deserved 1-0 home win for Pompey. 3 invaluable points and a clean sheet for young Josh Oluwayemi. Pompey finally broke the deadlock in the 90 + 2nd minute with Dane Scarlett striking a fine shot past Craig MacGillivray, following a superb cross from Conor Ogilvie which was headed down by Joe Pigott. Burton continued to be dirty throughout the second half, so it is no surprise that they conceded 22 free kicks against our 5 fouls !! They also had 4 players booked as well as their manager Dino Maamria for 'gobbing off' to one of the officials. We used 4 subs, being Dane Scarlett, Michael Jacobs and Ryan Tunnicliffe for Reeco Hackett, Paddy Lane and Louis Thompson in the 72nd minute. and then Joe Pigott for Owen Dale in the 86th minute.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth Away Team: Burton Possession: Home 68% Away 32% Shots: Home 16 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 7 Away 2 Corners: Home 4 Away 3 Fouls: Home 5 Away 22
