Pompey will look to make it six wins from their past seven matches when they host Reading on Saturday (3pm kick-off). John Mousinho’s men have got a six-point lead at the summit – seven over third spot – although the sides immediately below have at least one game in hand. Their next opponents are also enjoying some good form, which has helped them pull away from the drop zone. The Royals are unbeaten in six games to move up to 16th position in League One and are four points ahead of the bottom four. It might have been an even rosier picture, but they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser at Fleetwood earlier in the week. The recent upturn for Rubén Sellés’ men has come amidst a sea of protests from supporters, who are upset about the club ownership. A points deduction last season saw them relegated from the Championship, while four more have been taken off this term. Pompey overturned a two-goal deficit to win in Berkshire back in October, courtesy of strikes from Tino Anjorin, Colby Bishop and Terry Devlin. You have to go back to the summer of 2011 to find the last league contest at Fratton Park, when Dave Kitson netted the Blues winner against his former club. TEAM NEWS Tom Lowery is the latest player to book a spot in the treatment room after injuring his hamstring on Tuesday night. Tino Anjorin (hamstring), Terry Devlin (shoulder), Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom McIntyre (ankle), Joe Morrell (knee), Regan Poole (knee), Alex Robertson (hamstring) and Ben Stevenson (knee) are also sidelined. Sam Smith and Andy Yiadom should be fit enough for the visitors, but Jeriel Dorsett (ankle) and Tom Holmes (back) are expected to miss out. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Marlon Pack ahead of the game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 22 wins Reading: 12 wins 14 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 13 wins Reading: 4 wins 7 draws TICKETS Seats have sold out, but the ticket exchange remains open until 11.59pm on Friday, so keep checking to see if any become available. If you are coming to the game, click here to find out what is happening around the ground ahead of kick-off. 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).
Reading Starting Line Up:- 1 David Button GK 17 Andy Yiadom (C) DF 2 Clinton Mola DF 27 Amadou Salif Mbengue DF 24 Tyler Bindon DF 36 Michael Craig MF 11 Femi Azeez MF 29 Lewis Wing MF 7 Harvey Knibbs MF 12 Paul Omo Mukairu MF 15 Kelvin Ehibhationham FW Substitutes: 22 Joel Pereira 30 Kelvin Abrefa 14 Zane Monlouis 4 Benjamin Elliot 8 Charlie Savage 10 Sam Smith 19 Jayden Wareham
Pompey recall Colby Bishop for Kusini Yengi who unluckily drops to the bench. With Tom Lowry out injured with a tear in his hamstring, in comes Owen Moxon. Myles Peart-Harris is missing (possibly injured?) and is replaced by Callum Lang. Onto the bench come Christian Saydee and Gavin Whyte.
Sean Raggett hits a long pass to Paddy Lane, who's being climbed on by Yiadom, but the ball falls for Colby Bishop, who hits a low shot that's saved low down by David Button. 17 minutes.
Abu Kamara wins a free-kick and fires it in from the right, with David Button doing well to turn the ball behind under pressure from Colby Bishop. 27 minutes.
1-0 to Pompey, arguably against the run of play! Paddy Lane scores his 11th goal of the season. 36 minutes. Abu Kamara beats Craig in the middle of the pitch and surges forward before laying the ball off for Paddy Lane, whose powerful low shot can only be helped into the net by Button.
Half time whistle. 1-0 to Pompey. Excellent first half, with end to end football from both sides. Reading have edged us so far, but we are defending well. Should be a good second half !!
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .........Away Team: Reading Possession: Home 40% Away 60% Shots: Home 4 Away 9 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 5 Corners: Home 1 Away 4 Fouls: Home 3 Away 9
