Pompey secured their long-awaited first Championship victory by winning away at QPR at the weekend. Now the challenge is to build on that with another positive result when they visit fellow strugglers Cardiff this evening (7.45pm kick-off). The Welsh outfit were propping up the rest of the division after collecting a single point from their opening seven fixtures. And manager Erol Bulut paid the price for that concerning start with his job, replaced on an interim basis by one-time Blues target Omer Riza. He has got them to find some form, with a narrow success against Millwall and draw at Bristol City followed by Saturday's 5-0 rout of Plymouth. Former Fratton loanee Alex Robertson opened the scoring, with Rubin Colwill, Anwar El Ghazi, Callum Robinson and Chris Willock also finding the target, while Argyle played more than half the contest with just 10 men. The Australian is not the only player hoping to impress against ex-employers, as Marlon Pack and Josh Murphy both previously turned out for the Bluebirds. Pompey triumphed 3-0 when they last made the trip to south Wales for a Carabao Cup tie in August 2022, but it was Cardiff who emerged 3-2 victors in the most recent league contest more than 12 years ago. TEAM NEWS Jacob Farrell (knee) and Conor Shaughnessy (calf) are still sidelined, while Will Norris (knee) and Zak Swanson (heel) are also unlikely to feature. Ibane Bowat is set to miss the the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, while Colby Bishop is continuing his rehabilitation from heart surgery. Kion Etete (hamstring), Isaak Davies (hamstring), Joe Ralls (leg) and Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) are all expected to miss out for the hosts. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 24 wins Cardiff: 22 wins 15 draws At Cardiff Pompey: 11 wins Cardiff: 14 wins 7 draws Last Away Meeting Cardiff 0 Pompey 3 (Pigott, Curtis, Bishop) Carabao Cup R1 August 9 2022 TICKETS Pompey have sold more than 2,100 tickets. They are no longer available to purchase, with no sales to away fans at Cardiff this evening. Click here to read a guide to visiting Cardiff City Stadium that has been produced by the home club. OFFICIALS Referee: Oliver Langford Assistants: Mark Stevens and Conor Brown Fourth Official: Tom Reeves Langford took charge of Pompey's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds on the opening day of the season, when four of the six yellow cards he brandished were directed at Blues players 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. 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 Andy Awford and Mark Kelly. 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.
Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Ng, Chambers, Goutas, O'Dowda; Robertson, Turnbull; Tanner, Colwill, El Ghazi; Robinson. Subs: Horvath, Daland, Fish, Bagan, Siopis, Rinomhota, Willock, Meite, Kanga.
Pompey have Danish striker Elias Sorensen up front, with Mark O'Mahony and Kusini Yengi on the bench. Paddy Lane is in for Christian Saydee who drops to the bench. Playing for Cardiff is Aussie midfielder Alex Robertson who played for us last season on loan from Man. City. We have both skipper Marlon Pack and winger Josh Murphy playing against their former club.
I'm watching the game live on SkySports+, so will hopefully be back on at full time (possibly at half time). Please do join in with your updates and comments
Final whistle. 2-0 Away defeat. Could have been worse, if it wasn't for sub keeper Jordan Archer who came on for the injured Nicolas Schmidt, who took a knock by his eye trying to keep out the second goal. Archer was excellent, with save after save keeping the final score down to only two concede. We also lost both Paddy Lane and Jordan Williams in the first half with injuries. Cardiff played well and deserved the win. The walking wounded stagger on to Friday evenings game at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
Final Match Stats:- Overall Possession Cardiff City 53.7%Portsmouth 46.3% Shots Cardiff City 26Portsmouth 8 Shots on target Cardiff City 10Portsmouth 2 Shots off target Cardiff City 9Portsmouth 3 Blocked shots Cardiff City 7Portsmouth 3 Total touches in the box Cardiff City 32Portsmouth 11 Goalkeeper saves Cardiff City 2Portsmouth 9 Aerial duels won Cardiff City 22Portsmouth 19 Fouls Cardiff City 9Portsmouth 13 Corners Cardiff City 12Portsmouth 5
Never in doubt that there would be a strong travelling support. Always good to see proper football supporters.
I fear for you for the rest of the season, you need some signings in the January window otherwise if looks like doom. Personally i hope Pompey stays up, We were very good yesterday evening and should have won by more than the 2 goals. You look pretty toothless up top. Will be down for the return match in the new year. Good luck to you all and your support was tremendous.
Damn that's impressive for a Tuesday night. I was strongly considering going to this. I've gone a few dates with a girl who lives in Cardiff and she normally gets Wednesday off so I was considering going to the match in the Tuesday, staying the night at a Travelodge and then seeing her on the Wednesday, it seemed perfect timing. But she was working Wednesday and I didn't wanna go all that way just for a match as I'd still need a Travelodge anyway... Alas had I gone the number of Portsmouth fans would not have ended in 13 so we would not have lost.
