Pompey's run of successive fixtures against the Championship's top six has resulted in a mixed bag of outcomes. After beating Middlesbrough and then drawing at Leicester, there was a midweek defeat to leaders Coventry before Saturday's home clash with Stoke (12.30pm kick-off). The Potters are the lowest ranked side in this tough run of games and are currently only inside the play-off positions on goal difference. That is after they suffered a 2-0 loss to high-flying Millwall at The Den on Tuesday night, courtesy of goals from Femi Azeez and Tristan Crama. But Mark Robins' men have a fairly good record on the road, with wins at Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton, plus draws against Middlesbrough and Blackburn. He took charge of the club midway through last season after first Steven Schumacher and then Narcís Pèlach had been dismissed. The former Manchester United striker was eventually able to guide Stoke to Championship survival on the final day, but now their focus has switched to the other end of the table. Pompey were thrashed 6-1 when they visited the Potteries last term, although gained revenge back on home soil, as Colby Bishop, Callum Lang and Connor Ogilvie all netted in a 3-1 victory. TEAM NEWS Pompey are missing Callum Lang (hamstring), Nicolas Schmid (hand), Adrian Segečić (ankle), Conor Shaughnessy (hamstring), Franco Umeh (hamstring) and Thomas Waddingham (thigh). Meanwhile, John Swift will serve a one-match suspension after collecting his fifth booking of the season against Coventry. Josh Murphy is likely to be on the bench having recovered from an ankle problem and Jordan Williams could return after missing Tuesday night's contest as a precaution with a tight hamstring. Harvey Blair (hamstring) and Jacob Farrell (groin) are both back in training, but not yet ready to be available for selection. Stoke will be without the suspended Junior Tchamadeu, as well as the injured pair of Sam Gallagher (calf) and Bae Junho (shoulder), while Bosun Lawal (hamstring) is a doubt. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. please log in to view this image HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 28 wins Stoke: 26 wins 14 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 20 wins Stoke: 7 wins 8 draws Last Home Meeting Pompey 3 (Bishop, Lang, Ogilvie) Stoke 1 (Wilmot) Championship January 22 2025 TICKETS There are a limited number of seats remaining and the ticket exchange is open, so click here to secure your spot. Click here to read our matchday guide and find out what is happening around the ground ahead of the game. OFFICIALS Referee: Thomas Kirk Assistants: Andrew Fox and Callum Gough Fourth Official: Jacob Miles Kirk last took charge of Pompey when they memorably won 5-3 at Norwich back in April, booking four players – three of them members of the Blues side. He has been in the middle for nine games so far this season, showing 39 yellow cards and one red to Birmingham's Jack Robinson against Coventry. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters in the UK can watch the game live via the Sky Sports+ app. Those based overseas can see all the action on Pompey+, either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. George Wedlake will be joined by Paul Hardyman and Danny Rose in the Fratton Park studio, with guest appearances from legend Alan Knight and Nicolas Schmid. 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.
Pompey are giving young striker Makenzie Kirk his full debut today in place of John Swift who is suspended. Josh Knight drops to the bench and is replaced by Hayden Matthews. Ibane Bowat is named on the bench.
I'm watching the game live again on Sky Sports+, so back at half time. Please do join in with messages!
Half Time, and it's 0-0. Pretty level first half. Makenzie Kirk is our stand out player so far, he looks a really good prospect compared to Colby Bishop who has hardly got involved at all, and when he does, he appears to be fouled/roughed up by the Stoke players. Can see him being replaced by Josh Murphy in the second half, with Murphy playing on the left wing, yang moving to the right wing, and Conor Chaplin alongside Makenzie Kirk in attack!
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Portsmouth 39.7%Stoke City 60.3% Shots Portsmouth 6Stoke City 8 Shots on target Portsmouth 1Stoke City 2 Total touches inside the opposition box Portsmouth 11Stoke City 9 Goalkeeper saves Portsmouth 2Stoke City 1 Fouls committed Portsmouth 3Stoke City 7 Corners Portsmouth 2Stoke City 2
Final whistle. Unlucky 0-1 score line, with Stoke taking the lead in the 70th minute with a Hayden Matthews headed own goal giving them the lead after Pompey had completely controlled the second half up until that point. Josh Murphy looked good after coming on for Yang, and we created a lot of chances to equalise. Very disappointing result for us.
