Pompey will have to guard against complacency when they visit struggling Burton as League One action returns this evening (7.45pm kick-off). The visitors have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season, which saw Danny Cowley collect the division’s ‘Manager of the Month’ award. Their opponents, by contrast, are propping up the rest of the table, having collected a solitary point from their opening seven fixtures. That came at Accrington last month and saw the Brewers concede twice at the death in a dramatic 4-4 draw. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink stepped down as boss eight days ago and has been replaced by his assistant Dino Maamria. He will not be able to call on the services of Gassan Ahadme, though, with the striker making a deadline day switch to Ipswich. The former Blues loanee had been Albion’s top scorer with five goals already this term, including a brace in a Papa John’s Trophy win over Leicester U21s. Both sides won 2-1 on their own patch last term, with Reeco Hackett netting Pompey’s consolation at the Pirelli Stadium. TEAM NEWS Louis Thompson (leg) is sidelined for Pompey, while the game likely comes too soon for Jayden Reid (hamstring). Sam Winnall is expected to make his second debut for the Brewers after returning to the club on a free transfer last week. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 4 wins Burton: 3 wins 4 draws On the road Pompey: 3 wins Burton: 2 wins 0 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can purchase tickets (cash or card) from the ticket windows at the Pirelli Stadium this evening, although prices do increase by £2. Supporters collecting tickets should visit the window located at the main south end of the ground. There will be a minute's silence before kick-off to remember Her late Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, which will be followed by the national anthem. OFFICIALS Referee: Rebecca Welch Assistants: Richard Woodward and Lee Freeman Fourth Official: Robert Lewis MATCH COVERAGE Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre. Domestic iFollow subscribers can also enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham as usual, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent. BETTING Pompey are the 17/20 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 29/10.
Half time, and it's 0-0 against a very physical Burton team. We have had the better chances so far. In the 28th minute, debut making youngster Ciaran Gilligan was rightly booked for a really nasty foul on Dane Scarlett, which the commentators reckoned could/should have possibly been a red card. Hopefully, Danny Cowley can change things for the second half.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Burton .........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 43% Away 57% Shots: Home 6 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 1 Corners: Home 1 Away 3 Fouls: Home 8 Away 7
Final whistle, and it's 0-2 to Pompey. Well deserved win, a clean sheet, and another three points. Our 6th consecutive league win! In the 59th minute, we took the lead with an own goal from Hughes, from a lovely cross from Marlon Pack. Six minutes later we should have been 0-2 up with a superb lobbed goal from Dane Scarlett, but the goal was disallowed for a foul ! We did go 0-2 up in the 86th minute with a lovely flicked goal from Colby Bishop, from another excellent cross from my man of the match Owen Dale. Sean Raggett was booked in the 53rd minute for a foul. The Brewer's Taylor was yellow carded for chopping down Owen Dale in the 57th minute. We used 4 subs in the second half, being Joe Pigott (for Dane Scarlett), Josh Koroma (for Ronan Curtis), Reeco Hackett (for Owen Dale), and Jay Mingi (for Colby Bishop). We worked very hard for the win, which was thoroughly deserved.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Burton ..........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 45% Away 55% Shots: Home 9 Away 13 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 2 Corners: Home 4 Away 4 Fouls: Home 13 Away 10
Match Highlights:- https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...gd3jg6HyIf_nqmdEZ-SD93q9BHghgXfGQ_NJNhnij9wpA
