Pompey will look to put further daylight between themselves and the bottom three when they make the trip to struggling Luton on Saturday (3pm kick-off). John Mousinho's men are currently nine points clear of the drop zone after winning each of their past three Championship contests. And in the middle of that run was a second away victory of the campaign at Oxford, which will surely provide more confidence ahead of the contest at Kenilworth Road. Their next opponents charmed many football fans with their attempts to survive in the Premier League last season, although they ultimately fell short. But now their is the alarming prospect of a second successive relegation, with the Hatters currently sat at the foot of the standings – five points adrift of safety with just 12 games left to play. Boss Rob Edwards – the man who guided them into the top-flight – departed in January and replaced by Matt Bloomfield, who left promotion-chasing League One outfit Wycombe to take the job. He has yet to oversee a victory, however, and you have to go all the way back to just before Christmas to find Town's most recent triumph, when two late goals saw Derby beaten in Bedfordshire. They did pick up a point in their latest home contest with fellow strugglers Plymouth, although that was followed up by a 2-0 defeat at Watford last Sunday. It finished goalless when the sides met at Fratton Park back in August, despite Luton having goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski sent off in the first half, while Pompey were beaten 3-2 on their last visit to Kenilworth Road in January 2019. TEAM NEWS Ibane Bowat (knee), Jacob Farrell (knee), Paddy Lane (knee), Callum Lang (hamstring), Conor Shaughnessy (hamstring) and Jordan Williams (hamstring) are currently sidelined. Mark O'Mahony (groin) and Freddie Potts (calf) are both doubts, as are Rob Atkinson, Isaac Hayden, Hayden Matthews and Zak Swanson, who were all substituted against Queens Park Rangers. Reece Burke, Daiki Hashioka and Teden Mengi are set to miss out for the hosts, who also have concerns over the fitness of Shandon Baptiste, Mark McGuiness, Marvelous Nakamba and former Blues favourite Kal Naismith. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Regan Poole ahead of the big game HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 4 wins Luton: 19 wins 5 draws On the Road Pompey: 4 wins Luton: 5 wins 7 draws Last Away Meeting Luton 3 (Collins 2, Moncur) Pompey 2 (Curtis, Bogle) League One January 29 2019 TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation of tickets for this fixture and no more will be available to purchase at Luton on Satuday. Click here to read information on visiting Kenilworth Road that has been produced by the home club. OFFICIALS Referee: Sam Allison Assistants: Andrew Fox and George Byrne Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone Bramall last took charge of Pompey when they were beaten by Sunderland at Fratton Park back in August, booking three Blues and one visiting player. He has taken charge of 23 games so far this season, showing a total of 100 yellow cards, but his only sending off was Sheffield Wednesday defender – and former Pompey loanee – Di'Shon Bernard. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters based overseas can watch the game on Pompey+, either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. The pre-match show is live before the game for Pompey+ subscribers and overseas fans with a video subscription/match pass. George Wedlake will be joined by Mark Kelly and Paul Robinson in the Fratton Park studio. 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.
Despite being nine points clear of the drop at kick off, I still regard this game as a 'six-pointer'. Win and we are a step closer to securing Championship football. Lose, and if other results go against us, we'll still be nervously looking over our shoulders.
Luton Town Starting Line Up:- Number24, T. Kaminski Number3, A. Bell Number12, K. Naismith Number28, C. Makosso Number45, A. Doughty Number20, L. Walsh Number8, T. Aasgaard Number18, J. Clark Number25, I. Jones Number19, J. Brown Number9, C. Morris (c) Substitutes:- Number21, M. Alli Number5, M. Andersen Number11, E. Adebayo Number47, J. Bowler Number22, Lamine Fanne Number23, T. Krul Number6, M. McGuinness Number37, Z. Nelson Number44, L. Nordås
Pompey are without three central defenders due to injury, so it appears that Regan Poole will play alongside either skipper Marlon Pack, or possibly Isaac Hayden. On the bench, we have two fit again strikers in Kusini Yengi and Mark O'Mahony. Fit again Freddie Potts and Ryley Towler also on the subs bench. Playing for Luton in the centre of defence is ex-Pompey player Kal Naismith.
Colby Bishop right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Josh Murphy with a cross. 8 minutes.
Attempt missed. Josh Murphy right footed shot from outside the box. 35 minutes. Assisted by Connor Ogilvie.
Half time whistle. 1-0 to Luton. Poor game so far, not helped by a poor pitch and a poor referee! We need to consider changing tactics in the second half, perhaps bring on Kusini Yengi, as Luton are playing with three centre halves, which doesn't help Colby Bishop much.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Luton Town 48.3%Portsmouth 51.7% Shots Luton Town 6Portsmouth 2 Shots on target Luton Town 2Portsmouth 0 Total touches inside the box Luton Town 11Portsmouth 4 Goalkeeper saves Luton Town 0Portsmouth 1 Fouls Luton Town 4Portsmouth 8 Corners Luton Town 1Portsmouth 1
