Pompey have racked up plenty of miles since Christmas, so will be pleased that of the next five fixtures, four of them are at Fratton Park. That run begins on Saturday, when Middlesbrough make the long journey down to the south coast (3pm kick-off). They should be slightly fresher than the Blues, having not played since exiting the FA Cup with a home defeat to Blackburn seven days earlier. Pompey's own defeat to Rovers in the league on Wednesday night saw their next opponents drop one place to sixth in the Championship standings. The Teessiders have not lost any of their past six games in the competition, although four of those contests did end as stalemates. That includes successive 3-3 draws either side of Christmas – the latter of which saw them surrender a three-goal lead against Sheffield Wednesday. Michael Carrick has been in charge of Boro since October 2022 and after guiding the side to the play-offs in his first season, saw them reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals and finish eighth last term. It ended 2-2 when the clubs met at the Riverside Stadium back in August, with Christian Saydee bagging a brace for the visitors. TEAM NEWS Harvey Blair (knee), Ibane Bowat (knee), Jacob Farrell (knee), Paddy Lane (knee), Mark O'Mahony (hip), Regan Poole (hamstring), Conor Shaughnessy (calf) and Kusini Yengi (knee) are all currently sidelined. Goalkeeper Jordan Archer is also a doubt after hurting his quad in the FA Cup third round defeat at Wycombe. Alex Bangura, Darragh Lenihan and Tommy Smith are all missing for the visitors with Achilles issues, while Sol Brynn (shoulder), Tommy Conway (hamstring), Seny Dieng (hip) and Jonny Howson (calf) are also absent. Meanwhile, Liverpool loanee Ben Doak and top scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath have both been heavily linked with a move away from the club during the January transfer window. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 38 wins Middlesbrough: 42 wins 32 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 30 wins Middlesbrough: 12 wins 13 draws Last Away Meeting Pompey 1 (Halford) Middlesbrough 3 (Robson, Bates, Emnes) Championship March 3 2012 TICKETS Tickets have almost 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: Gavin Ward Assistants: Lee Venamore and Richard Woodward Fourth Official: Ruebyn Ricardo Ward last took charge of Pompey when they beat Bristol Rovers 3-1 at Fratton Park in League One in August 2022, booking three home players and five from the opposition. MATCH COVERAGE The game is available for international broadcast, including on Paramount+ in the USA. It will only be available to stream on Pompey+ in unsold international markets. Click here for more information on the EFL's unsold territories. The pre-match show is live before the game for all Pompey+ subscribers and overseas fans with a video subscription/match pass. George Wedlake will be joined in the Fratton Park studio by Andy Awford and Mark Kelly, with Blues sporting director Rich Hughes joining them. 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 live video coverage of half-time and post-match shows is only available 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.
Middlesbrough Starting Line Up:- Number23, T. Glover Number30, Neto Borges Number25, G. Edmundson Number6, D. Fry Number3, R. van den Berg Number7, H. Hackney (c), Captain Number4, D. Barlaser Number10, D. Burgzorg Number20, F. Azaz Number50, B. Doak Number9, E. Latte Lath Substitutes:- Number27, L. Engel Number12, L. Ayling Number5, M. Clarke Number1, S. Dieng Number21, M. Forss Number14, A. Gilbert Number17, M. Hamilton Number49, L. McCabe Number18, A. Morris
Pompey have brought in Jordan Williams at right back, and Isaac Hayden makes his full debut in defensive midfield. Matt Ritchie is on the right wing. Keeper Jordan Archer is fit enough to be on the bench, joined by Harvey Blair who has also recovered from injury. Ex Pompey defender Matt Clarke is named on the away bench.
Kick off was delayed for 35 minutes, due to a medical issue with a fan in the North Stand. The fan was taken to QA Hospital in an ambulance. Just hope they are ok.
Kick off underway at 3.35 pm. Owner Michael Eisner and his wife Jane are over from the USA, and are at the game today!
Josh Murphy's cross causes problems and when Marlon Pack sends the ball back into the box, Callum Lang's header is held by Glover. 6 minutes.
Josh Murphy left footed shot from outside the box following a corner. 8 minutes. Corner from Matt Ritchie.
A poor kick from Glover flies straight to Callum Lang and he finds Freddie Potts, who drags a shot narrowly past the post. 19 minutes.
Colby Bishop header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Matt Ritchie with a cross. 37 minutes.
Half time. 0-1 score. Middlesbrough took one of their chances, we didn't ! We have played well, after the delayed start, and created plenty of chances.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Portsmouth 53.3%Middlesbrough 46.7% Shots Portsmouth 8Middlesbrough 7 Shots on target Portsmouth 2Middlesbrough 3 Total touches inside the box Portsmouth 12Middlesbrough 15 Goalkeeper saves Portsmouth 2Middlesbrough 2 Fouls Portsmouth 5Middlesbrough 4 Corners Portsmouth 7Middlesbrough 2
