After three successive matches on the road, Pompey return to Fratton Park to face Northampton on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Seven points from that trio of away-days means that John Mousinho’s side have kept their position at the League One summit. But there are a few teams now breathing down their necks as the race for a spot in the Championship hots up. Their next opponents will still have that promotion feeling fresh in their memory after climbing out of the fourth tier last term. It will have wiped away their frustration of the previous campaign, when they were denied by Bristol Rovers’ unlikely 7-0 rout of Scunthorpe on the final day. The Cobblers have not been overawed by playing at a higher level and head to the south coast sitting comfortably in ninth position. Jon Brady’s men have 10 points to make up if they want to make a late bid for the play-offs, while they are 13 clear of the drop zone. Sean Raggett’s header and a Paddy Lane brace saw Pompey cruise to a 3-0 victory at Sixfields Stadium at the start of December. They also enjoyed a resounding 4-0 success in the most recent contest at Fratton Park, which took place in October 2020. TEAM NEWS January arrivals Tom McIntyre and Owen Moxon might make their debuts, while Callum Lang could start after coming off the bench to net on his Blues bow at Oxford in midweek. Joe Morrell is set to miss out as he goes for a scan on the knee injury that forced him off on Tuesday night, with Terry Devlin a doubt after hurting his shoulder in the same game. Tino Anjorin (hamstring), Josh Dockerill (knee), Regan Poole (knee), Alex Robertson (hamstring), Ben Stevenson (knee) and Zak Swanson (groin) are definitely sidelined. Northampton have their own injury concerns, with Ben Fox, Ali Koikoi, Tyler Magloire, Aaron McGowan, Shaun McWilliams, Akin Odimayo, Sam Sherring and Jack Sowerby all set to miss out. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 21 wins Northampton: 11 wins 7 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 14 wins Northampton: 3 wins 4 draws TICKETS The majority of available seats are in the Milton End. Click here to secure your place and avoid the matchday ticket increases. If you are attending the game, then click here to find out what is happening around the ground on Saturday. 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 replays and accompanying commentary. Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device. We will have key updates throughout the game on Twitter and a detailed blog via the match centre. There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).
NORTHAMPTON TOWN STARTING LINE UP:- 1 Lee Burge GK 5 Jon Guthrie (C) DF 12 Emmanuel Monthe DF 15 Jordan Willis DF 20 Harvey Lintott MF 33 Patrick Brough MF 21 Marc Leonard MF 23 William Hondermarck MF 11 Mitchell Pinnock FW 19 Kieron Bowie FW 7 Sam Hoskins FW Substitutes: 31 Louie Moulden 6 Sam Sherring 8 Ben Fox 9 Louis Appere 16 Tyreece Simpson 28 Tony Springett 29 Dominic Gape
Pompey have Joe Rafferty fit to come in for injured Terry Devlin. Tom Lowery replaces injured Joe Morrell in midfield. Full debuts for defender Tom Mcintyre and Callum Lang who replaces Abu Kamara on the right wing. New boy Owen Moxon is named on the bench.
Colby Bishop puts the ball into the back of the net, but he is deemed to be offside. 6 minutes. Connor Ogilvie cuts inside from the left and hits a low shot that Burge can only parry. Colby Bishop tucks away the loose ball, but the flag is immediately raised for offside.
Connor Ogilvie header from a free kick. 7 minutes. It's been coming! Marlon Pack swings in a free-kick from the right and Connor Ogilvie finds space to stoop and head the ball home
Paddy Lane scores. Another assist for Marlon Pack, who plays a superb long pass to send Paddy Lane racing clear. He cuts inside from the right and bends the ball home with his left foot. 16 minutes. Paddy Lane's 8th goal of the season.
Northampton make a mess of clearing Marlon Pack's ball into the box and Connor Ogilvie tries to stab it over the line, but Brough is able to clear. 28 minutes.
Unbelievable. Manny Monthé has his hands all over Callum Lang and eventually hauls him to the ground, but both referee and assistant don't think there's anything wrong with it !! 31 minutes.
