The cut and thrust of Championship action returns after the international break, with Pompey welcoming Blackburn to Fratton Park (3pm kick-off). John Mousinho's men are looking to return to winning ways after following their stunning victory over table-topping Leeds with defeats against Plymouth and Preston. But their opponents are also trying to get back on track, with a poor run of form meaning their challenge for a play-off spot threatens to peter out. Rovers currently sit ninth in the table and are five points adrift of sixth position after failing to win a game for six weeks. That run of poor form has not exactly helped Pompey either, as it includes successive defeats to relegation-threatened Derby, Stoke and Cardiff. The first of those losses would have particularly hurt, as John Eustace left Ewood Park to take charge of the Rams last month. Replacement Valérien Ismaël is now searching for his first victory as boss, having collected a single point from four matches at the helm so far. But whatever happens, fans will at least be spared a nervy repeat of last term, when their side won at champions Leicester on the final day to secure survival. Blackburn won 3-0 when the teams met in the north-west back in January, although the Blues were denied a clear penalty when the deficit was just one goal. You have to go back to November 2008 to find the last time Pompey came out on top at Fratton Park, when Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Sean Davis all netted in a 3-2 Premier League success. TEAM NEWS Rob Atkinson (calf), Ibane Bowat (knee), Jacob Farrell (knee), Paddy Lane (knee), Callum Lang (hamstring), Hayden Matthews (ankle), Conor Shaughnessy (hamstring) and Kusini Yengi (hamstring) are all currently sidelined. Christian Saydee and Jordan Williams are both available again, while Alexander Milošević could be handed a debut following his arrival earlier this month. The visitors will be without Callum Brittain (calf), Emmanuel Dennis (hamstring), Augustus Kargbo (hamstring), Harry Leonard (back), Andi Weimann (knee) and Scott Wharton (knee). VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Freddie Potts ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 26 wins Blackburn: 41 wins 24 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 18 wins Blackburn: 12 wins 14 draws Last Home Meeting Pompey 1 (Chaplin) Blackburn 2 (Armstrong 2) League One February 13 2018 TICKETS Tickets have sold out, but the ticket exchange will remain open until two hours before kick-off. Click here to read our matchday guide and find out what is happening around the ground ahead of the game. OFFICIALS Referee: Jeremy Simpson Assistants: James Wilson and Andrew Dallison Fourth Official: Stephen Martin Simpson last took charge of Pompey when they were beaten 3-1 in a League Two match at Doncaster in January 2017, showing one yellow cards to the hosts and three to the visitors. He has taken charge of 11 games so far this season, booking a total of 41 players and sending two for an early bath. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters based overseas can watch the game on Pompey+ (also available on Paramount+ in the USA), 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 Andy Awford and Mark Kelly, plus special guest Lee Brown, 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.
Blackburn Rovers Starting Line Up:- Number1, A. Pears Number15, D. Batth Number5, D. Hyam Number17, H. Carter Number4, Yuri Ribeiro Number27, L. Travis (c), Number6, S. Tronstad Number24, O. Beck Number45, C. Woodrow Number23, Y. Ohashi Number10, T. Dolan Substitutes:- Number21, J. Buckley Number8, T. Cantwell Number33, A. Cozier-Duberry Number28, A. Forshaw Number9, M. Gueye Number19, R. Hedges Number11, J. Rankin-Costello Number31, D. Sanderson Number12, B. Tóth
Pompey are unchanged, with Cohen Bramall continuing at left back. On the bench are a fully fit Jordan Williams, Christian Saydee and Alexander Milosevic. Former Pompey on-loan defender (although he never made an appearance!) Dominic Hyam plays for Blackburn, as does ex-loanee Hayden Carter who played very well for us.
Lovely goal for Josh Murphy, made by Colby Bishop. 20 minutes. Josh Murphy plays a neat one-two with Colby Bishop before firing a right-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Josh Murphy right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Cohen Bramall. 25 minutes.
Josh Murphy right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Cohen Bramall. 25 minutes.
Josh Murphy right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Cohen Bramall. 25 minutes.
