Last week's postponement means it has been almost a month since Pompey last took to the pitch for a match at Fratton Park. So they will be eager to impress in front of the home faithful when Bristol City visit the south coast on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Liam Manning's men should arrive in confident form, having trounced Plymouth 4-0 at Ashton Gate last weekend. Anis Mehmeti bagged a brace for the Robins in that contest, sandwiched by goals from Scott Twine and Sinclair Armstrong. It leaves them sitting comfortably in 11th spot in the Championship standings – 10 points clear of the drop zone and five adrift of the play-off places. Their current position is precisely where Manning steered them to last term after arriving from Oxford in November to replace Nigel Pearson. You have to go back to the 2011/12 campaign to find the last time the two sides shared a division, with both contests that season ending goalless. There was an FA Cup third round clash in Bristol in January 2021, with Callum Johnson netting in a rather unfortunate 2-1 loss behind closed doors. TEAM NEWS Jacob Farrell (knee), Conor Shaughnessy (calf), Mark O'Mahony (hip), Jordan Williams (hamstring) and Kusini Yengi (knee) are all sidelined for Pompey. Ibane Bowat is set to miss the the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, but Zak Swanson is available again after recovering from a heel problem. Former Pompey duo Ross McCrorie and Kal Naismith are absent for the visitors, as are Ayman Benarous, Mark Sykes, George Tanner and Joe Williams, although Marcus McGuane has returned to fitness after suffering a back spasm last week. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Andre Dozzell ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 14 wins Bristol City: 22 wins 18 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 9 wins Bristol City: 7 wins 11 draws Last Home Meeting Pompey 0 Bristol City 0 Championship March 17 2012 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 to find out what is happening around the ground ahead of the game. OFFICIALS Referee: Sunny Singh Gill Assistants: Robert Hyde and Andrew Dallison Fourth Official: Aaron Farmer Gill last took charge of Pompey when they concluded their triumphant 2023/24 campaign with a 2-0 win at Lincoln back in April, booking seven Blues players and three for the hosts. 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 presenting from the Fratton Park studio, joined by Andy Awford and Danny Rose. 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.
Pompey have an unchanged starting line up, but on the bench injured striker Mark O'Mahony and winger Harvey Blair are replaced by fit again defender Zak Swanson and winger Sammy Silvera. Former Pompey player Kal Naismith is injured, and missing from the City squad.
Callum Lang gets fouled 25 yards out by Jason Knight, and the free-kick from Matt Ritchie has to be tipped over the bar. 2nd minute.
Attempt saved. Regan Poole right footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. 3rd minute.
That man Colby Bishop puts us 1-0 up. His first shot is saved by the keeper, but he nets the loose ball ! 20 minutes. Freddie Potts presses Josh Knight and his pass to Rob Dickie is seized upon by Josh Murphy. The first shot from Colby Bishop is saved by Max O'Leary, but the ball comes straight back for the striker to slot home.
Another promising moment for Pompey, but the ball won't land kindly for Callum Lang and his eventual shot is blocked. 31 minutes.
Colby Bishop header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Terry Devlin. 33 minutes.
Half time whistle. 1-0 ahead. We have played very well so far, with some lovely attacking moves. Must keep it up in the second half !
