The race for promotion throws up another tough test for Pompey on Saturday, when they make the long trip to Blackpool (3pm kick-off). John Mousinho will want to ensure his men can at least maintain their six-point advantage at the League One summit. But they will have to overcome a home side who are also aiming to secure a spot in the Championship for next season. The Seasiders are sitting in eighth position following last weekend’s 2-0 victory on the road at Shrewsbury. They are four points behind Stevenage, who currently occupy the final play-off position and have a game in hand. Neil Critchley was the man tasked with helping the club bounce back from last season’s relegation when he was appointed boss back in May. It seemed to be a smart choice, as he previously led them to promotion into the second tier in 2021 before departing a year later to join Steven Gerrard’s coaching staff at Aston Villa. Blackpool are now searching for some consistency in order to extend their campaign beyond the end of April, having won just three of their past eight league matches. They are unbeaten in the five most recent clashes with Pompey, however, and inflicted a first defeat of the season on Mousinho’s side when triumphing 4-0 at Fratton Park in November. TEAM NEWS Zak Swanson could be available again for Pompey after returning to full training following a groin problem. But Tino Anjorin (hamstring), Terry Devlin (shoulder), Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom McIntyre (ankle), Joe Morrell (knee), Regan Poole (knee), Alex Robertson (hamstring) and Ben Stevenson (knee) are still sidelined. Andy Lyons (knee) and Albie Morgan (knee) are both missing for the hosts, although Jordan Rhodes could return to the starting line-up for the first time since injuring his ribs. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Conor Shaughnessy ahead of the game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 22 wins Blackpool: 30 wins 23 draws On the road Pompey: 7 wins Blackpool: 17 wins 13 draws OFFICIALS Referee: Ed Duckworth Assistants: Graeme Fyvie and Lee Freeman Fourth Official: Bradley Hall TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation, so please do not travel to Bloomfield Road if you have not already purchased a ticket. Click here to read information on visiting Blackpool, including for disabled supporters. The home club embrace the sunflower lanyard scheme and stewards are trained to recognise this, aware that supporters might have hidden or non-hidden disabilities. MATCH COVERAGE 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 2pm on Saturday. Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with replays and 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 key updates throughout the game on Twitter and a detailed blog via the match centre. There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).
It's one of those games where you'd maybe take a point if it was offered at kickoff. Three wins and two losses in their last five games suggests that we don't know which Blackpool side will turn up - hopefully not the one that visited Fratton Park! Bolton and Derby are also away, but, at Exeter and Bristol Rovers respectively, they will both be expecting to go home with three points apiece.
Blackpool Starting Line-Up:- 32 Daniel Grimshaw GK 3 James Husband DF 21 Marvin Ekpiteta DF 5 Matthew Pennington DF 4 Jordan Gabriel MF 15 Hayden Coulson MF 11 Karamoko Dembele MF 7 George Byers MF 6 Oliver Norburn (C) MF 16 Jordan Rhodes FW 18 Jake Beesley FW Substitutes: 1 Richard O'Donnell 20 Oliver Casey 10 Sonny Carey 22 CJ Hamilton 17 Matthew Virtue-Thick 9 Kyle Joseph 19 Shayne Lavery
Red card for Blackpool's striker Jordan Rhodes for a bad foul on Joe Rafferty. 43 minutes. The striker jumps for a challenge with Rafferty and leads with his arm, catching the defender and drawing a red card from the referee.
Paddy Lane is challenged and the ball runs for Abu Kamara, whose low shot is just about turned against the post by Grimshaw. 45 + 1 minute.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Blackpool ......Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 41% Away 59% Shots: Home 5 Away 2 Shots on Target: Home 0 Away 1 Corners: Home 1 Away 2 Fouls: Home 6 Away 6
Conor Shaughnessy plays a pass through to Paddy Lane, whose long-range effort is blocked. 55 minutes.
