After ending their long wait for an away win at Oxford last weekend, Pompey will be looking to make it three successive victories when they host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday (3pm kick-off). John Mousinho's men are keen to extend the seven-point buffer they have built to the bottom three, as the games start to run out. Loftus Road was the scene of their maiden success on the road this term, although they had to battle from behind before emerging triumphant back in October. Freddie Potts quickly cancelled out Kader Dembélé's early opener before Callum Lang settled the contest from the penalty spot. The Londoners sat at the foot of the Championship table at that point, but the club chose to keep faith with boss Martí Cifuentes. And the Spaniard has rewarded them for that backing by overseeing a remarkable turnaround that has seen Rangers soar up the standings. Off the back of a comfortable 4-0 home win over Derby in their last outing, the team sit in 13th position and are just four points adrift of the play-off places. The last south coast contest between the sides was an FA Cup fourth round tie in 2019 that finished 1-1, although the Blues were beaten in the replay. And you have to go back to the last century to find the last time Pompey came out on top at Fratton Park, with John Aloisi, Alan McLoughlin and Martin Phillips all netting for Alan Ball's men in August 1998. TEAM NEWS Ibane Bowat (knee), Jacob Farrell (knee), Paddy Lane (knee), Callum Lang (hamstring), Conor Shaughnessy (hamstring) and Jordan Williams (hamstring) are all currently sidelined. Freddie Potts (calf) is also a doubt, but Regan Poole and Kusini Yengi are both available again following lengthy spells out. Žan Celar (hamstring), Jake Clarke-Salter (hip) are both expected to miss out for the hosts, who also have concerns over the fitness of Lucas Andersen, Kader Dembélé and Rayan Kolli. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Cohen Bramall ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 12 wins QPR: 15 wins 13 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 7 wins QPR: 5 wins 7 draws Last Home Meeting Pompey 1 (Lynch (og)) QPR 1 (Wells) FA Cup R4 January 26 2019 TICKETS Tickets have 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: Thomas Bramall Assistants: Nick Greenhalgh and Akil Howson Fourth Official: Declan Bourne Bramall last took charge of Pompey when they were narrowly beaten at Sunderland early in the new year, showing yellow cards to two visiting players and dismissing Marlon Pack. He has taken charge of 15 games so far this season, booking a total of 48 players and sending three for an early bath. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters based overseas can watch the game on Pompey+, either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. The pre-match show is live before the game for Pompey+ subscribers and overseas fans with a video subscription/match pass. George Wedlake will be joined by Paul Hardyman and Paul Robinson in the Fratton Park studio, while Paddy Lane will also be making an appearance. 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.
QPR STARTING LINE UP:- Number1, P. Nardi Number22, K. Paal Number17, R. Edwards Number5, S. Cook (c), Captain Number3, J. Dunne Number40, J. Varane Number8, S. Field Number14, K. Saito Number10, I. Chair Number11, P. Smyth Number12, M. Frey Substitutes:- Number20, H. Ashby Number4, J. Colback Number7, K. Dembélé Number15, M. Fox Number28, A. Lloyd Number21, K. Morgan Number16, L. Morrison Number13, J. Walsh Number47, Yang Min-Hyeok
Sunderland loanee Adil Aouchiche replaces injured forward Callum Lang in the starting line up. Fit again Aussie striker Kusini Yengi is named on the bench, along with two young ex-Liverpool wingers Harvey Blair and Kaide Gordon. Midfielder Andre Dozzell plays against his old club, and Ex-QPR keeper Jordan Archer is on the bench.
Matt Ritchie sends in a free-kick from the right that has to be headed behind for a corner kick. 29 minutes
Yellow card Frey finally gets booked after making one foul too many, on Connor Ogilvie. 45 + 4 minutes.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Portsmouth 52.1%Queens Park Rangers 47.9% Shots Portsmouth 2Queens Park Rangers 3 Shots on target Portsmouth 0Queens Park Rangers 2 Total touches inside the box Portsmouth 9Queens Park Rangers 6 Goalkeeper saves Portsmouth 2Queens Park Rangers 0 Fouls Portsmouth 5Queens Park Rangers 9 Corners Portsmouth 4Queens Park Rangers 1
1-0 with a lovely goal from Josh Murphy from outside the box.! 48 minutes. Assisted by Andre Dozzell.
