Pompey will aim to record successive League One victories for the first time since the end of November when they host Doncaster on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Danny Cowley’s troops got three points on the board by seeing off Burton on home soil earlier in the week. Now they will want to build on that result against the side currently propping up the rest of the third tier. Rovers are eight points adrift of safety, although their goal difference is also comfortably worse than the clubs they are trying to catch. And yet the South Yorkshire outfit have enjoyed two impressive victories at MK Dons and Sunderland in their most recent away fixtures. Those trips, however, represent their only two wins on the road, with Gary McSheffrey’s men having picked up just a single point beforehand. It finished goalless when the sides met earlier in the campaign, with keeper Pontus Dahlberg – who has since departed – making a string of fine saves and keeping out a Shaun Williams spot-kick. But Reece James’ second half strike ensured it was Doncaster who claimed all the points in last season’s Fratton contest. TEAM NEWS Pompey are without Kieron Freeman (ankle) and Shaun Williams (back), while Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin) remain sidelined. Joe Morrell is still suspended for two more fixtures following his harsh red card at Oxford last week. Blues academy graduate Ben Close will not play for Doncaster again this season after undergoing knee surgery. The visitors are also without Tom Anderson (foot), John Bostock (ankle), Ethan Galbraith (calf), Cameron John (back), Fejiri Okenabirhie (Achilles) and Jon Taylor (ankle), while Tommy Rowe (ankle) is a doubt. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 11 wins Doncaster: 8 wins 7 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 5 wins Doncaster: 4 wins 3 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure a seat for Saturday’s contest online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office. Supporters coming to the ground on the day of the game can also purchase tickets from the booth behind the Fratton End. Fratton Park is now a cashless stadium, with contactless payments will be required in all food kiosks and hospitality areas, as well as for the purchase of tickets. OFFICIALS Referee: Tom Reeves Assistants: Greg Read and Garry Maskell Fourth Official: Christopher Kidd MATCH COVERAGE Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday. Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM. BETTING Pompey are the 4/11 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 6/1.
Worth a quid on Doncaster as they have been a bit of a bogey side for us. Our last win in this corresponding league fixture was on 22nd October 2011 in the season that saw both sides relegated from the Championship. Since then there have been five league fixtures between the two sides at Fratton Park, resulting in two draws and three away wins. Donny might be down at the wrong end of the table, but don't forget that last Saturday the beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light!
Attempt missed. Dan Gardner (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. 5 minutes.
Attempt saved. Josh Martin (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved. 17 minutes.
Reo Griffiths hits a shot that is saved by Gavin Bazunu, who then leaps on the loose ball. 20 minutes.
Attempt missed. Hayden Carter (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. 23 minutes.
How has Sean Raggett kept that out?! Smith and Rowe combine to find Joe Dodoo in the box and his close-range shot is heading for the net until the defender manages to clear it from the line. 26 minutes.
Attempt missed. Ben Jackson (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. 30 minutes.
Attempt saved. George Hirst (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Ronan Curtis. 32 minutes.
Attempt blocked. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 45 minutes. Hayden Carter does well to make space inside the box, but his shot is blocked by Younger. 45 + 1 minute. Attempt blocked. George Hirst (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. 45 + 1 minute.
Half time, and it's goal less. Disappointing first half for us. Let us hope the second half is better.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Doncaster Possession: Home 57% Away 43% Shots: Home 6 Away 7 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 3 Corners: Home 1 Away 1 Fouls: Home 7 Away 6
