please log in to view this image Match Preview: Sheffield Wednesday v Pompey Saturday 26/04/2025 @ 3 PM.
Pompey make the long trip up to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (3pm kick-off) and never have the words 'dead rubber' sounded so sweet. John Mousinho's men guaranteed their Championship status by collecting maximum points against Norwich and Watford over the Easter weekend. But there is still an opportunity to climb further up the standings with strong showings in the campaign's last two fixtures. Their opponents are currently four points better off in 13th position and looking to secure a top-half finish. It has already been an improvement on the previous season, when survival was only guaranteed with victory at Sunderland on the final day. Danny Röhl's side have seemingly been limping towards the finishing line this term, but ended a six-match winless run by beating play-off chasing Middlesbrough on home turf on Monday. Anthony Musaba grabbed a late winner after Josh Windass had cancelled out Finn Azaz's opener for the visitors, who also saw a penalty saved. Michael Smith's stuning strike against his former club helped the Owls secure a 2-1 victory at Fratton Park back in October. The most recent Hillsborough contest was a thrilling 3-3 draw on the opening day of the 2022/23 League One campaign, with Connor Ogilvie, Michael Jacobs and Colby Bishop all on target. TEAM NEWS Ibane Bowat (knee), Jacob Farrell (knee), Paddy Lane (knee), Hayden Matthews (ankle), Alexander Milošević (calf), Thomas Waddingham (hamstring) and Jordan Williams (hamstring) are all currently sidelined. Callum Lang and Conor Shaughnessy could feature after making their injury returns as late substitutes against Watford, while Colby Bishop and Josh Murphy – who both went off in that game – are available. Sheffield Wednesday are missing Max Lowe (knee) and former Fratton loanee Di'Shon Bernard (knee), with doubts over the fitness of Michael Ihiekwe, Dominic Iorfa and Pol Valentín. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Terry Devlin ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 27 wins Sheffield Wednesday: 29 wins 16 draws At Hillsborough Pompey: 9 wins Sheffield Wednesday: 18 wins 9 draws Last Away Meeting Sheffield Wednesday 3 (Johnson, Dele-Bashiru 2) Pompey 3 (Ogilvie, Jacobs, Bishop) League One July 30 2022 TICKETS Tickets are no longer on sale and will not be available for Pompey fans to purchase on the day of the game. Click here for a guide to visiting Hillsborough that has been produced by the home club. OFFICIALS Referee: Leigh Doughty Assistants: Paul Hodskinson and Jonathon Bickerdike Fourth Official: Stuart Morland Doughty last took charge of Pompey when they were beaten 3-0 on home soil by West Brom back in September, booking six Blues and two visiting players. He has taken charge of 25 games so far this season, booking a total of 105 players and sending two for an early bath. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters based overseas can watch the game on Pompey+, either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. The pre-match show is live before the game for Pompey+ subscribers and overseas fans with a video subscription/match pass. George Wedlake will be joined by Andy Awford and Mark Kelly in the Fratton Park studio. 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 to watch for fans in regions where the game is being shown live on Pompey+. Audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham 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). *Please note that the WhatsApp service is only for sending messages to appear on the matchday show. The club will not be able to reply to any messages.
Given our now assured championship status I feel the manager should select Towler, Blair , and Kamara for the last two games if he intends to retain them next season. When desperate for points it is difficult to find the courage to select young inexperienced players who realistically will require a run of games to find their feet. Now, plus pre season games is the best chance to 'blood' these players. If we cannot do so now it will be difficult to justify keeping them unless they go out on loan. In the last season they have not had the game time young players require.
Sheffield Wednesday Starting Line Up:- Number47, P. Charles Number18, M. Johnson Number20, M. Ihiekwe Number44, S. Charles Number13, C. Paterson Number41, D. Gassama Number10, B. Bannan (c), Captain Number40, S. Armstrong Number27, Y. Valery Number11, J. Windass Number24, M. Smith Substitutes:- Number1, J. Beadle Number4, N. Chalobah Number28, R. Hatsuse Number8, S. Ingelsson Number19, O. Kobacki Number17, C. McNeill Number45, A. Musaba Number2, L. Palmer Number12, I. Ugbo
Wow, big shake up for Pompey, with reserve keeper Ben Killip making his club debut in place of Nicolas Schmid who drops to the bench. Conor Shaughnessy starts alongside Rob Atkinson in defence. Harvey Blair replaces Matt Ritchie on the right wing. Andre Dozzell returns to central midfield. Callum Lang on the bench. Sheffield Wednesday have ex-Pompey striker Michael Smith in attack, but no sign of either ex-Pompey forward Jamal Lowe or former loanee defender Di'Shon Bernard.
Match is underway! Pompey wear their black away strip, while Sheffield Wednesday are in blue and white stripes.
Freddie Potts header from very close range is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Andre Dozzell with a cross following a corner. 6 minutes.
Josh Murphy swings in a great ball from the left and somehow Connor Ogilvie is up there to glance a header just past the post. 15 minutes.
1-1 now, with a first Pompey goal from young winger Harvey Blair, following a superb Josh Murphy cross. 23 minutes.
please log in to view this image Half time whistle. 1-1. Fair reflection of the game so far. Great to see young Harvey Blair scoring his first well taken goal for Pompey - that should do his confidence the world of good.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Sheffield Wednesday 63.4%Portsmouth 36.6% Shots Sheffield Wednesday 7Portsmouth 2 Shots on target Sheffield Wednesday 2Portsmouth 1 Total touches inside the box Sheffield Wednesday 12Portsmouth 5 Goalkeeper saves Sheffield Wednesday 0Portsmouth 1 Fouls Sheffield Wednesday 7Portsmouth 3 Corners Sheffield Wednesday 3Portsmouth 3
Second half is underway. Pompey have replaced Conor Shaughnessy with Regan Poole. Wednesday have Anthony Musaba replacing Djeidi Gassama.
