Pompey will look to stretch their long unbeaten home record when they host Derby in League One this evening (8pm kick-off). With two of the biggest clubs in the division meeting on the south coast, it is no surprise that the contest has attracted the Sky Sports cameras for live coverage. The visitors were relegated from the Championship last season after suffering severe financial problems that left their entire future at stake. Wayne Rooney’s side would have stayed up without a total of 21 points being deducted and the former England international departed over the summer. Liam Rosenior replaced him on an interim basis before Paul Warne – who has a history of securing promotion from the third tier – was poached from Rotherham in September. The Rams currently six sixth in the standings and are level on points with Pompey, who have played one game fewer and hold a slightly better goal difference. They were in action on Tuesday night, thrashing Torquay 5-0 in an FA Cup first replay, and took Liverpool to penalties in the Carabao Cup the previous week. It was in that latter competition that Pompey and Derby last met, with goals from Adam McGurk and Conor Chaplin sealing a 2-1 success for the hosts at Fratton Park in August 2015. TEAM NEWS Ronan Curtis (ankle), Michael Jacobs (hamstring) and Tom Lowery (hamstring) are all unlikely to feature, while there are also doubts over Clark Robertson (Achilles) and Zak Swanson (shin). Joe Rafferty (stomach), Jayden Reid (knee) and Louis Thompson (leg) are definitely out, although the latter is making good recovery. Pompey will also have to do without midfielder Joe Morrell, who is in Qatar with the Wales squad for the World Cup. Defenders James Chester (calf) and Curtis Davies (knee) are both missing for Derby, along with keeper Joseph Anang (arm), while Jason Knight (ankle) is a doubt. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 35 wins Derby: 42 wins 20 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 25 wins Derby: 13 wins 13 draws TICKETS The game is sold out for home fans, so please do not travel to Fratton Park if you do not have a ticket. Click here to read our matchday guide and find out what is happening around the ground this evening. OFFICIALS Referee: Neil Hair Assistants: Alex James and James Vallance Fourth Official: Craig Hicks MATCH COVERAGE Supporters based in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event. Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 7pm. Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary. 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 BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not online). BETTING Pompey are the 13/10 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 19/10.
please log in to view this image There have been plenty of league meetings between Pompey and Derby down the years. But Friday evening’s televised south contest will be the first to take place outside of English football’s top two tiers. Both sides have ambitions for a return to former glories and currently sit inside the League One play-off spots. Marlon Pack is certainly hoping he can help inspire a climb up a division, but knows the Blues have to start securing more wins. The midfielder said: “It’s a really big fixture – one that we would have seen in the Premier League not too long ago. “Fratton Park under the lights always creates a fantastic atmosphere and it’s one we’re all looking forward to. “We’ve all got ambitions to become Championship teams again and the number of draws has been frustrating, although we could easily have won half of those. “We go into every game hoping to collect all three points, but you have to realise that it’s never going to be as easy as just turning up and getting the result. “We’ve got a good group of lads here and the right attitude. It would be great if we could get back to winning ways on Friday.” Pack returned to the side for last week’s draw at Morecambe after being out for almost a month with a hamstring problem. He said: “It was a frustrating period for me and it’s only my second ever injury as a pro, so it’s not something I was used to. “Now I feel as good as I can be, although it’s always a process when you’re coming back and trying to manage it. “My body’s quite robust and I think that probably allowed me to heal a bit quicker than the injury might have suggested. “You learn to deal with the frustration and all my energy was directed towards making sure I came back and helping the lads however I could. “I’ve just found it nice to be back training with the boys and enjoyed getting out on the pitch again last week.” Pompey’s midfield will not include Joe Morrell against the Rams, with the Wales international currently in Qatar on World Cup duty. Pack said: “We’re really pleased for him and it’s a fantastic opportunity. It’s a loss for us, but we’ll all be cheering him on – except when they play England!”
Half time. 0-0. Decent first half, with McGoldrick hitting the bar, and Jay Mingi brought down on the edge of the box when he was about to shoot. Owen Dale had an excellent first 45 minutes. Bookings for Clark Robertson and Derby player Sibley, both for fouls.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Derby Possession: Home 48% Away 52% Shots: Home 6 Away 7 Shots on Target: Home 0 Away 1 Corners: Home 0 Away 2 Fouls: Home 10 Away 6
Final whistle. 0-0 draw. Pompey the better side in the second half, with Jay Mingi's shot saved by the Rams keeper. Pompey used two subs in the second half, with Ronan Curtis replacing Josh Koroma, and Joe Pigott on for Dane Scarlett. Ronan had a good second half. Four second half bookings, one for Pompey - Colby Bishop for dissent, and three for Derby - Cashin for dissent, Thompson and Dobbin both for fouls.
Final match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Derby Possession: Home 53% Away 47% Shots: Home 10 Away 13 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 3 Corners: Home 2 Away 5 Fouls: Home 16 Away 12
