Pompey will look to continue their run of positive away form when they make the trip up to Ipswich on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Having collected just 14 points on the road during the entirety of last term, John Mousinho's men already have five to their name following victory at Oxford and a couple of draws. And they are currently sitting four places better off than their next opponents in the still early Championship standings. The Tractor Boys saw their impressive rise halted last season, as back-to-back promotions were followed by relegation from the Premier League. Kieran McKenna's side collected just 22 points – 10 more than rock bottom Southampton, but still 16 adrift of safety. And they started the 2025/26 campaign by failing to win any of their first four league matches, only to follow that up with a 5-0 rout of Sheffield United. Town also have a game in hand after last week's trip to Blackburn was abandoned with just over 10 minutes to play because of a waterlogged pitch. The subsequent decision to replay the fixture in full will have come as a relief, seeing as Ipswich were trailing 1-0 and a man down following Jacob Greaves' red card. Pompey twice fought from behind before going on to lose 3-2 in the last league meeting between the sides at Portman Road, which came in League One during the 2022/23 campaign. They did win there in the EFL Trophy that season, however, while Marlon Pack and Colby Bishop netted in a 2-2 draw back on the south coast. TEAM NEWS Pompey will be without Conor Chaplin, who is ineligible against his parent club, while the game comes too soon for the fit-again duo of Harvey Blair and Franco Umeh. Josh Murphy (ankle) is doubt, while the visitors are definitely missing Callum Lang (hamstring), Nicolas Schmid (hand), Conor Shaughnessy (hamstring) and Thomas Waddingham (thigh). Jacob Greaves is banned for Ipswich, as his red card in the abandoned match at Blackburn last week still stands, with Wes Burns (knee) and Conor Townsend (knee) both injured. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Connor Ogilvie ahead of the big game. please log in to view this image HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 17 wins Ipswich: 21 wins 14 draws At Portman Road Pompey: 11 wins Ipswich: 10 wins 6 draws Last Away Meeting Ipswich 0 Pompey 2 (Scarlett, Swanson) EFL Trophy R2 November 22 2022 TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation of 2,000 tickets and none will be available to purchase at Portman Road on the day of the game. Click here to read a guide to visiting Ipswich that has been produced by the home club. OFFICIALS Referee: Andrew Kitchen Assistants: Shaun Hudson and David Harrison Fourth Official: Alex Chilowicz Kitchen last took charge of Pompey when they drew 0-0 with Norwich on home soil in December 2024, booking three Blues players and five for the visitors. He has been in the middle for six games so far this season, showing 13 yellow cards, but keeping the red one in his pocket. MATCH COVERAGE Overseas fans can watch all the action live on Pompey+, either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. George Wedlake will be joined in the Fratton Park studio by Paul Hardyman 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.
Five changes for Pompey in their starting line up. Goalie Josef Bursik makes his first team debut, with Ben Kibble dropping to the bench. Josh Knight replaces injured Conor Shaughnessy at centre half. Luke Le Roux and Mark Kosznovszky come into midfield. Finally, with Josh Murphy still out, his replacement is the young South Korean Yang Min-Hyeok. Loanee Connor Chaplin is illegible to play against his own club. Playing up front for Ipswich is ex-Pompey loanee George Hirst.
Half time whistle. 2-0 to the home side. Not a good start for us going behind so early, but we were getting back into the match when George Hirst doubled their lead. What will John Mousinho do for the second half? I'd like to see young striker Makenzie Kirk on for Colby Bishop who has hardly had a look in so far.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Ipswich Town 57.7%Portsmouth 42.3% Shots Ipswich Town 6Portsmouth 2 Shots on target Ipswich Town 3Portsmouth 2 Total touches inside the opposition box Ipswich Town 6Portsmouth 8 Goalkeeper saves Ipswich Town 2Portsmouth 1 Fouls committed Ipswich Town 8Portsmouth 6 Corners Ipswich Town 3Portsmouth 0
Mark Kosznovszky slips a pass through for Yang Min-Hyeok, whose shot is well blocked by O'Shea. 53 minutes.
Colby Bishop with an attempt from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Alex Palmer (Ipswich Town). Assisted by Márk Kosznovszky with a cross. 53 minutes.
