By the time this weekend is over, Pompey will have played all of the Championship’s current top four in consecutive matches. And it is arguably the toughest of those tests this evening, as league leaders Coventry make the trip down to Fratton Park (7.45pm kick-off). Frank Lamaprd’s side have yet to be beaten in league so far this season and are looking to extend a four-game winning run. City maintained their fine form on Saturday by beating Blackburn 2-0, courtesy of goals from Victor Torp and Brandon Thomas-Asante. Their results also include a 7-1 home rout of QPR – just a few hours after they had announced the purchase of their stadium – and a 5-0 triumph on the road at Sheffield Wednesday. Those resounding wins go some way to explaining just why the Sky Blues are the division’s top scorers – 12 goals clear of their closest rivals. But they have been just as impressive at the other end of the pitch, with only this weekend’s opponents Stoke having a more miserly defensive record. Pompey certainly enjoyed last season’s south contest with Coventry, as Callum Lang’s four-goal haul saw them win 4-1 just before Christmas. TEAM NEWS Pompey are missing Jacob Farrell (groin), Callum Lang (hamstring), Nicolas Schmid (hand), Conor Shaughnessy (hamstring), Franco Umeh (hamstring) and Thomas Waddingham (thigh) Wingers Harvey Blair (hamstring) and Josh Murphy (ankle) are also both unlikely to feature until the weekend. Oliver Dovin (knee), Joel Latibeaudiere (knee) and Jack Rudoni (calf) are all expected to be absent for the visitors, but Josh Eccles should be available following a glute injury. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. please log in to view this image HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 14 wins Coventry: 17 wins 7 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 10 wins Coventry: 4 wins 5 draws Last Home Meeting Pompey 4 (Lang 4) Coventry 1 (Bassette) Championship December 21 2024 TICKETS There are a limited number of tickets remaining, so click here to secure your seat. Click here to read our matchday guide and find out what is happening around the ground ahead of the game. OFFICIALS Referee: Gavin Ward Assistants: Hugh Gilroy and Robert Hyde Fourth Official: Stephen Martin Ward last took charge of Pompey when they were narrowly beaten at Coventry back in April, booking four players – three of them members of the Blues side. He has been in the middle for seven games so far this season, showing 27 yellow cards, but keeping the red one in his pocket. 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. George Wedlake will be joined by Andy Awford and Gareth Evans 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.
Coventry City Starting Line Up:- Number19, C. Rushworth Number15, L. Kitching Number26, L. Woolfenden Number4, B. Thomas Number3, J. Dasilva Number6, M. Grimes (c), Captain Number29, V. Torp Number27, M. van Ewijk Number10, E. Mason-Clark Number9, E. Simms Number23, B. Thomas-Asante Substitutes:- Number8, J. Allen Number54, K. Andrews Number21, J. Bidwell Number33, Miguel Ángel Brau Number28, J. Eccles Number20, K. Kesler-Hayden Number7, T. Sakamoto Number13, B. Wilson Number11, H. Wright
One Pompey change is Zak Swanson replacing Jordan Williams at right back. Ibane Bowat is named on the bench.
I'll be watching the game live again on Sky Sports+, so will hopefully come back on here at half time.
0-1 at half time, with a 30th minute goal from Thomas-Asante. We should have had a penalty when Yang burst into the box and was chopped down by Thomas. Josef Bursik has once again made some very good saves, and Zak Swanson headed one shot off the goal line.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Portsmouth 52.3%Coventry City 47.7% Shots Portsmouth 6Coventry City 10 Shots on target Portsmouth 2Coventry City 4 Total touches inside the opposition box Portsmouth 7Coventry City 19 Goalkeeper saves Portsmouth 1Coventry City 2 Fouls committed Portsmouth 2Coventry City 6 Corners Portsmouth 3Coventry City 5
Final whistle. 1-2 to top of the table Coventry. Thomas-Asante scored a second goal for the away team, before young sub Makenzie Kirk scored his first Pompey goal with a lob over the away keeper in the 90 + 6th minute Looked like a nasty injury to Adrian Segecic who had come on as a sub, and had to be helped off the pitch.
Final Match Stats:- Overall possession Portsmouth 56.8%Coventry City 43.2% Shots Portsmouth 15Coventry City 19 Shots on target Portsmouth 5Coventry City 7 Total touches inside the opposition box Portsmouth 24Coventry City 35 Goalkeeper saves Portsmouth 3Coventry City 4 Fouls committed Portsmouth 5Coventry City 12 Corners Portsmouth 6Coventry City 5
