Pompey have started the new campaign with victories in both the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy. Now Kenny Jackett’s side will look to complete a treble by collecting all three points from their League One opener. Shrewsbury are the visitors to Fratton Park on Saturday in a reverse of the first game of the 2019/20 season. The Blues were narrowly beaten in Shropshire courtesy of a Ryan Giles stunner, while Ross McCrorie was sent off on his debut for the visitors. Sam Ricketts’ Shrews made an early exit from the Carabao Cup last weekend, although they certainly made a good fight of it in their 4-3 reverse at Championship outfit Middlesbrough. Like their opponents today, however, Town’s number one priority will be on trying to secure league success. They climbed one place to 15th in the standings when the points per game method was used to decide the Covid-19 halted season. It was Pompey who came out on top when the sides last met at Fratton Park back in February, with goals from Ellis Harrison and John Marquis securing a 2-0 triumph. TEAM NEWS Alex Bass is the only injury doubt for Pompey after injuring his ankle in the Carabao Cup tie at Stevenage. Shrewsbury could hand a debut to loan goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who has returned from international duty with Montenegro. Their skipper Ollie Norburn is likely to miss out with a knee problem, but Aaron Pierre should be available after returning to training. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 14 wins Shrewsbury: 10 wins 3 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 11 wins Shrewsbury: 2 wins 1 draw OFFICIALS Referee: Charles Breakspear Assistants: Mike Desborough and Michael Chard Fourth Official: Paul Yates MATCH COVERAGE Supporters in the UK and Ireland can watch the action live – with four-camera coverage, graphics and commentary – by purchasing a match pass for £10. Domestic subscribers will, as usual, be able to listen to listen to live commentary from Andy Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from 2pm. Please note that domestic subscribers will still need to purchase a match pass in order to watch the game live. Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can also watch the action, with commentary starting from around 10 minutes before kick-off. 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. BETTING Pompey are the 3/4 favourites with Sky Bet to secure victory after 90 minutes, while the visitors can be backed at 7/2.
I'm down in Devon at the moment and moving towns and holiday accommodation on Saturday afternoon. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, I will not be able to gain access to the new apartment until 5 pm which is after the match has ended, so probably can't get online until after that time !! Feel free to add information as and when anything happens !
0-0 at half time. If there was a crowd at Fratton Park they'd probably be getting quite restless. First half stats Possession 54% - 46% Shots 3 - 3 On target 1 - 1 Corners 1 - 5 Fouls 4 - 10
60 mins Still 0-0 5 shots each but nothing on target yet in this half. The shrews have has slightly more possession since HT but Pompey have had the only corner
Promotion favourites Peterborough and Sunderland both losing. Posh 1-0 at Accrington and the Black Cats 0-1 to Bristol Rovers
80 mins and Pompey are knocking on the door 7 shots with 4 on target in the 2nd half against 2 off target for the shrews. Possession is still 53-47 so it's 50-50 so far in the 2nd half. Pompey have had 4 2nd half corners to their 1 in the last 35 minutes
SO CLOSE! 89' Tom Naylor (Portsmouth) hits the bar with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Lee Brown with a cross following a set piece situation.
Possession 54 - 46 Shots 14 - 6 (2nd half 11 - 3) On Target 6 - 1 (2nd half 5 - 0) Corners 6 - 8 (2nd half 5 - 3) Fouls 12 - 25 (2nd half 8 - 15) It looks like they were there for the taking, but the lack of the 12th man and the chimes looks like it showed
Cheers for your contribution Dev Only just gained access to the apartment after stocking up with vittles (plus booze ) at the supermarket.
Thanks Dev & Woops, Not the start we wanted but early days. Lets hope other sides lack 'the 12th man' when we play away from home.
You'd have thought how toxic Fratton Park can get, the lack of fans would give them a bit of a boost. I mean, let's be honest, there probably would have been boos at half time.