Pompey will be trying to play the role of party-poopers when they host high-flying Wigan this evening (7.45pm kick-off). The visitors need just a single point to mathematically secure their place in the Championship for next season. And they could even claim the title if they can better second-placed Rotherham’s result at Sunderland. It would complete a remarkable turnaround for the Latics, who narrowly avoided relegation into the basement last season, having recovered from financial turmoil. There are plenty of familiar faces in both camps, with academy graduate Jack Whatmough and former skipper Tom Naylor returning to the south coast. They are managed by Leam Richardson, who was assistant to Paul Cook when the Blues dramatically claimed the 2016/17 League Two title, while ex-keeper Darryl Flahavan is on his coaching staff. Michael Jacobs twice won promotion from this level with Wigan and fellow Pompey midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe had a couple of loan spells at the DW Stadium. Richardson’s men won 1-0 when the sides met in the north-west earlier in the campaign and triumphed by the same scoreline on their most recent visit to Fratton Park. TEAM NEWS Kieron Freeman (ankle), Reeco Hackett (knee) Denver Hume (back) and Jayden Reid (knee) are all still sidelined for Pompey. But Connor Ogilvie could feature despite going off with a tight hamstring against Gillingham on Saturday. Wigan are expected to be without Tom Bayliss (groin), James McClean (knee) and Curtis Tilt (hamstring), as well as Charlie Wyke, who continues his recovery after suffering a cardiac arrest in November. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 11 wins Wigan: 7 wins 4 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 6 wins Wigan: 3 wins 2 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure tickets online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office. Supporters can also purchase seats, subject to availability, from the booth behind the Fratton End this evening. OFFICIALS Referee: Craig Hicks Assistants: Michael Webb and Daniel Bonneywell Fourth Official: Paul Howard MATCH COVERAGE Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre. Domestic iFollow subscribers can also enjoy audio commentary from Ian Wilding and Guy Whittingham as usual, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game. BETTING Wigan are the 5/4 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 21/10.
please log in to view this image Portsmouth FC @Pompey please log in to view this image Your support at Fratton Park this season > please log in to view this image The players and staff will embark on a lap of appreciation after the match to thank you for your backing please log in to view this image
Half time whistle, and it's 0-2 to a very good Wigan side with two goals just before half time, with their first two shots on goal. Callum Lang with a header in the 38th minute, and then Will Keane with a tap in in the 45 + 3rd minute. Yellow card for Tendayi Darikwa in the 42nd minute for pulling back Ronan Curtis when he was breaking away. We created plenty of chances ourselves, with George Hirst in particular going close, as well as Conor Ogilvie.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .........Away Team: Wigan Possession: Home 50% Away 50% Shots: Home 6 Away 6 Shots on Target: Home 0 Away 2 Corners: Home 3 Away 3 Fouls: Home 9 Away 8
Final whistle, and it's 3-2 Pompey win !! What a second half that was, with two goals in two minutes from George Hirst, in the 62nd and 64th minutes. The first from a cross from Marcus Harness, and then another shot past the keeper. In the 88th minute, substitute Aiden O'Brien scored our third with a shot on the turn past Ben Amos. We could have had a 4th goal, when Michael Jacobs was clean through in the 76th minute, and was chopped down from behind by Jack Whatmough right on the edge of the box. No free kick given, and no yellow or even red card for the Wigan player ! Ben Amos and Ronan Curtis both booked after a tussle in the Wigan goalmouth when Amos refused to give him the ball after we had scored our second goal. We brought on all three subs, Aiden O'Brien for Michael Jacobs, Ryan Tunnicliffe for Louis Thompson, and Mahlon Romeo for Marcus Harness. What an excellent end to end game that was !!
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Wigan Possession: Home 54% Away 46% Shots: Home 15 Away 12 Shots on Target: Home 4 Away 5 Corners: Home 5 Away 7 Fouls: Home 13 Away 16
Well I wanted to see Pompey repeat their Gillingham performance against better opposition and they did it in spades! An unchanged team was a good start - hopefully they can start the same 11 in Sheffield. I was satisfied with the first half performance despite the score line but the comeback was extraordinary. All three goals were very well taken. The first was a little lucky in that I thought Harness fouled a Wigan defender in the lead up - but a deserved result overall. i thought the ex-Pompey Wigan contingent conducted themselves well after the final whistle despite their disappointment.. Whatmough and Naylor were the last Wigan players off the pitch after acknowledging players and crowd, and Richardson stayed behind to shake hands with every Portsmouth player. Lets hope we can finish the season on a similar high note on Saturday. PUP
