Fratton Park has not hosted a men’s match for more than a month due to a Covid outbreak and opposition FA Cup commitments. So Pompey will make a welcome return to their home ground when they take on MK Dons on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Since goals from Marcus Harness and Connor Ogilvie saw off Morecambe in the middle of December, there has been just one league contest. That goalless draw at Cambridge at the start of 2022 means the Blues are unbeaten in 10 third tier contests. It leaves them sitting eighth in the standings and with at least one game in hand on the sides around them. The visitors are in fifth spot with six more points and beat AFC Wimbledon at Stadium MK earlier in the week. Liam Manning’s men were 1-0 victors when they faced Pompey earlier in the season, courtesy of Ethan Robson’s finish. But the Dons have never previously triumphed at Fratton Park, with Tom Naylor and Ellis Harrison on target in a 2-1 success for the hosts last term. TEAM NEWS Pompey have no new injury worries, with Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin) the only absentees. Since the last league contest, Gassan Ahadme, Ellis Harrison and Paul Downing have all departed the club. MK Dons could hand a debut to goalkeeper Jamie Cumming, who has arrived on loan from Chelsea, but Aden Baldwin and David Kasumu are both injury doubts. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 4 wins MK Dons: 3 wins 2 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 3 wins MK Dons: 0 wins1 draw TICKETS Tickets can be bought online here or from the Anson Road ticket office. Please note that there is limited availability in all areas of the ground, except for the Milton End. Fans buying tickets on a matchday (subject to availability) can also visit the booth behind the Fratton End, but please note that prices increase if not purchased in advanced. OFFICIALS Referee: Scott Oldham Assistants: Richard Morris and Conor Farrell Fourth Official: Trevor Kettle BETTING Pompey are the 6/5 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 19/10.
So, new signing Hayden Carter starts on the bench, alongside Clark Robertson. I'd rather have seen either one of those replace Kieron Freeman in the centre of defence from the off !!
Attempt saved. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Shaun Williams with a cross. 3 minutes.
Joe Morrell lifts a deep cross into the box and Sean Raggett nods it down for Conor Ogilvie, who somehow manages to clear the crossbar from six yards out. 6 minutes.
Attempt saved. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mahlon Romeo. 9 minutes.
Attempt missed. George Hirst (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Reeco Hackett-Fairchild. 12 minutes.
Attempt missed. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marcus Harness. 18 minutes.
Marcus Harness bursts past a couple of challenges, but his low shot creeps inches past the post. Assisted by Ronan Curtis. 26 minutes.
Attempt saved. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Marcus Harness. 40 minutes.
Attempt missed. Sean Raggett (Portsmouth) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Shaun Williams with a cross following a corner. 41 minutes.
45 minutes up - 3 minutes added on. Attempt blocked. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 45 + 3 minutes.
Half time whistle. 0-2 to MK Dons. After Pompey playing brilliantly in the first 20 minutes, MK scored with their first shot/attack on goal. They then appeared to take complete control of the match, and scored a second. We have had plenty of chances so far, just haven't been able to convert any of them. Boy oh boy, don't we need a new striker or two during the transfer window
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ..........Away Team: MK Dons Possession: Home 41% Away 59% Shots: Home 10 Away 6 Shots on Target: Home 3 Away 3 Corners: Home 3 Away 0 Fouls: Home 6 Away 3
