Despite being a magnificent year for Pompey in so many ways, they will probably be glad to see the back of 2024 after ending with successive defeats – one unjust and one completely fair – on the road. They are back on home soil to start 2025 with a Championship contest against ninth-placed Swansea on Wednesday (3pm kick-off). And Fratton Park has been a fruitful venue for the Blues in recent weeks, having claimed 10 points from the last 12 available. Their next opponents were on their own patch for both games immediately after Christmas, winning both contests against QPR and Luton. They left it late to secure a 2-1 victory in the latter contest on Sunday, however, with the decisive headed goal from former Blues loanee Myles Peart-Harris coming in stoppage-time. That result leaves the Swans sitting only four points outside the play-off places with just under half of the season still to play. But that has seen boss Luke Williams – who arrived at the club almost exactly a year ago – heavily linked with the vacant managerial position at West Brom. You do not have to go back too long to find the most recent meeting between the sides, with Matt Ritchie and Josh Murphy scoring in a 2-2 in South Wales at the end of November. The last Fratton contest was a goalless Championship affair towards the end of the 2010/11 campaign and Swansea go into the game looking for a first league win on Pompey's patch since September 1959. TEAM NEWS Harvey Blair (knee), Conor Shaughnessy (calf), Mark O'Mahony (hip), Regan Poole (hamstring) and Kusini Yengi (knee) are all sidelined for Pompey. Summer signing Ibane Bowat is set to miss the the rest of the season with a serious knee issue, but Jacob Farrell and Jordan Williams are available again. Joe Allen (leg), Ollie Cooper (foot), Josh Ginnelly (Achilles), Sam Parker (hamstring) and Kristian Pedersen (hamstring) are all expected to be absent for the visitors, while Gonçalo Franco is a doubt after suffering a nasty facial injury on Sunday. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 11 wins Swansea: 7 wins 15 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 8 wins Swansea: 3 wins 6 draws Last Home Meeting Pompey 0 Swansea 0 Championship April 23 2011 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: James Linington Assistants: Alex James and Graham Kane Fourth Official: Andy Davies Linington last took charge of Pompey when they visited QPR back in October and recorded a first win of the season, showing yellow cards to three Blues players and one member of the home team. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters in the UK can watch the game live via the Sky Sports+ app. Those based overseas can see all the action on Pompey+ (also available on Paramount+ in the USA), either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. The matchday show is live before the game for 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 Danny Rose. 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.
SWANSEA CITY STARTING LINE UP:- Swansea City show two changes for the New Year’s Day meeting with Portsmouth as Kyle Naughton and Jay Fulton come into the starting line-up. Naughton comes in for Josh Key at right-back, while Fulton takes the place of Gonçalo Franco, who misses out after suffering a facial injury in the win over Luton Town. On the bench Joe Allen is fit enough to return from injury for the Swans. Lawrence Vigouroux is in goal, with Naughton joining Ben Cabango, Harry Darling and Josh Tymon in defence. Fulton comes in alongside skipper Matt Grimes in midfield, with Liam Cullen completing the trio in the centre of the park. Ronald and Jisung Eom are out wide for the visitors, while Florian Bianchini again leads the line at Fratton Park. Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Kyle Naughton, Ben Cabango, Harry Darling, Josh Tymon; Matt Grimes (captain), Jay Fulton, Liam Cullen; Ronald, Jisung Eom; Florian Bianchini. Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Josh Key, Joe Allen, Žan Vipotnik, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Cyrus Christie, Myles Peart-Harris, Ben Lloyd, Azeem Abdulai.
Pompey are resting Matt Ritchie, who drops to the bench, with Paddy Lane starting the game. Freddie Potts replaces Owen Moxon in midfield. Jordan Williams is fit again, and named on the bench. Ex-Pompey loanee Myles Peart-Harris starts on the bench for Swansea.
Josh Murphy cuts inside and lays the ball off for Zak Swanson, whose 25-yard effort flies not too far off target. 15 minutes.
1-0 ahead with a goal from Josh Murphy. 22 minutes. His 5th goal of the season. Right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Zak Swanson with a cross.
Colby Bishop right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Freddie Potts. 25 minutes.
Connor Ogilvie header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Paddy Lane with a cross following a corner. 25 minutes.
2-0 up now, with a first Championship goal from Paddy Lane. 29 minutes. Darling clears straight to Connor Ogilvie, whose header back into the box should be dealt with, but Tymon dithers, Paddy Lane sticks out a boot and the ball finds the bottom corner.
Callum Lang header from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Josh Murphy with a cross. 36 minutes.
Half time whistle. 2-0 to Pompey. Good first half from us, creating plenty of chances. Keep it up lads!
