I considered trying to get tickets to this, even though it's a far journey but it'd be a return to my ancestral homelands. Didn't actually check to see if they made it to general sale. But once again there's a dodgy stream for it. Love being in the Championship. Though one day maybe I'll get to see Portsmouth in person... With it being at 3pm and DND on today I guess, then I'd only be able to watch the first half and then get a bus into town and be fashionably late for DND. Love the third kit though.
Pompey are embarking on one of their longest journeys of the season to take on Middlesbrough on Saturday (3pm kick-off). And the trek to Teesside sees them facing one of the bookies’ favourites to secure promotion from the Championship. Michael Carrick’s men finished in eighth position last term and were four points shy of sealing a play-off spot. They have had a mixed start to the current campaign, beating Swansea at home on the opening day before losing by the same scoreline at Derby last weekend. Their most impressive result was sandwiched between, with a 3-0 victory over Leeds at Elland Road to progress in the Carabao Cup. Among their arrivals over the summer are Scotland international forward Tommy Conway from Bristol City and winger Micah Hamilton from Manchester City. This will be the first meeting between the sides since both were in the Championship during the 2011/12 campaign. It finished 2-2 at the Riverside Stadium on the opening day, with Luke Varney grabbing a late Blues leveller and David Norris also on target. In fact, seven of the last nine Teesside contests have ended all square, while Pompey enjoyed a Kanu-inspired 4-0 victory there back in 2006. TEAM NEWS Midfielder Abdoulaye Kamara and goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid could be involved after signing for Pompey earlier in the week. There are doubts over the fitness of Marlon Pack (head), while Jacob Farrell (ankle), Tom McIntyre (hamstring), Josh Murphy (ankle) and Kusini Yengi (groin) are not yet ready to feature. Regan Poole (knee) is still to return to full training and Colby Bishop is continuing his recovery from heart surgery, with Sammy Silvera ineligible against his parent club. Alex Bangura, Darragh Lenihan, Marcus Forss, Dael Fry and Tommy Smith are all absent for Middlesbrough, while there are also fitness doubts over Jonny Howson, Riley McGree and Rav van den Berg. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Andre Dozzell ahead of the game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 38 wins Middlesbrough: 41 wins 31 draws On the Road Pompey: 8 wins Middlesbrough: 29 wins 18 draws Last Away Meeting Middlesbrough 2 (Emnes, Williams) Pompey 2 (Norris, Varney) Championship August 6 2011 TICKETS More than 1,600 tickets have already been snapped up by Blues fans. They are no longer available from Pompey, but can be purchased (cash only) from the ticket office at the Riverside Stadium on the day of the game, which is also the location for collections. OFFICIALS Referee: Matthew Donohue Assistants: Paul Hodskinson and Hristo Karaivanov Fourth Official: Benjamin Speedie Matthew Donohue last took charge of a Pompey game when they were beaten 4-0 in a Carabao Cup tie at Brighton in September 2020, showing a single yellow card to each side. MATCH COVERAGE Fans based overseas can watch the game on Pompey+, either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. The matchday show is live before the game for Pompey+ subscribers and overseas fans with a video subscription/match pass. George Wedlake will be joined in the Fratton Park studio by Mark Kelly and Danny Rose. Fans can get involved by sending messages and voicenotes to our Pompey+ WhatsApp channel* on +44 7457 413694 or via this link. Please note that the half-time and post-match shows are only available for fans in regions where the game is being shown live on Pompey+. Audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Gareth Evans is available for Pompey+ subscribers or those who purchase an audio subscription/match pass. Click here for more details about using Pompey+, including the answers to some frequently asked questions. Locally-based fans who are not going to the game can listen as always via BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).
New signings Harvey Blair and Abdoulaye Kamara into the squad. Kusini Yengi fit enough for the bench. Connor Shaughnessy hasn’t trained this week and misses out. Ryan Williams moves to RCB and Zak Swanson into RB. Christian Saydee back at 10, Elias Sorensen back in at 9.
Middlesbrough Starting Line Up:- Number 1, S. Dieng Number27, L. Engel Number5, M. Clarke Number15, A. Dijksteel Number12, L. Ayling (c), Captain Number7, H. Hackney Number18, A. Morris Number10, D. Burgzorg Number20, F. Azaz Number11, I. Jones Number9, E. Latte Lath Substitutes:- Number 4, D. Barlaser Number31, S. Brynn Number19, J. Coburn Number22, T. Conway Number39, S. Finch Number14, A. Gilbert Number17, M. Hamilton Number41, H. Hunt Number37, G. McCormick
Middlesbrough have ex-Pompey centre half Matt Clarke in their side today, making his first appearance against us since leaving Fratton Park.
1-2 now, with a second goal from Christian Saydee (who is now on a hat trick!!). 25 minutes. Goal came following a collision between the home keeper and a defender, and the ball bounced loose for Saydee to tap in!
