Match Day Thread Rochdale v Pompey

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A televised cup tie during the week means Pompey fans have had to wait an extra 24 hours for their latest taste of League One action.

Rochdale are the opponents for a Sunday afternoon summit at Spotland, with both sides chasing their first three-point haul of the new campaign.

While Kenny Jackett’s side played out a goalless draw with Shrewsbury last week, their hosts were beaten 3-1 at newly-promoted Swindon.

And, like the Blues, they also exited the Carabao Cup in the second round, with Dale losing 2-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening.

When the 2019/20 season came to a halt back in March, Brian Barry-Murphy’s men were in 19th position and just four points above the drop zone.

Their final game was, however, an impressive victory over a Rotherham side that were ultimately awarded promotion.

And the points-per-game method chosen to settle the final League One standings saw them climb one position.

Pompey have a good record against Rochdale, having lost just one of the previous 13 meetings between the sides.

They won 3-0 on their last visit to Spotland in November 2019, courtesy of Ronan Curtis’ brace and a goal from Ryan Williams.


TEAM NEWS
Alex Bass (ankle) is the only injury doubt for Pompey after Jackett confirmed that Jack Whatmough suffered just a dead leg at Brighton.

Michael Jacobs might make his Blues bow after sitting out that Carabao Cup clash, while the cup-tied Callum Johnson could return.

Striker Stephen Humphrys is in line to make his second Rochdale debut, having rejoined the club from Southend.


HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 10 wins
Rochdale: 1 win
2 draws

At Spotland
Pompey: 5 wins
Rochdale: 1 win
1 draw

OFFICIALS
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Assistants: Nik Barnard and Natalie Aspinall
Fourth Official: Wade Smith


BETTING
Pompey are the 4/6 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 18/5.

 

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Rochdale

• 1 Gavin Bazunu
• 2 Ryan McLaughlin
• 6 Eoghan O'Connell
• 5 Paul McShane
• 13 Jimmy Keohane
• 8 Aaron Morley
• 20 Jimmy Ryan
• 21 Matthew Lund
• 14 Oliver Rathbone
• 10 Alex Newby
• 9 Stephen Humphrys

Substitutes

• 4 Jimmy McNulty
• 7 Stephen Dooley
• 12 Jay Lynch
• 16 Matt Done
• 17 Fabio Tavares
• 22 Kwadwo Baah
• 24 Ethan Brierley

 

Referee blows his whistle. The match commences.

 

12'

Attempt missed. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Lee Brown.

 

14'

Attempt blocked. Marcus Harness (Portsmouth) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

 

16'

Attempt missed. Oliver Rathbone (Rochdale) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Eoghan O'Connell.

 

17'

Attempt blocked. Aaron Morley (Rochdale) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jimmy Ryan.

 

20'

Attempt blocked. Jimmy Ryan (Rochdale) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alex Newby.

 

23'

Attempt blocked. Alex Newby (Rochdale) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Matthew Lund.

 

27'

Attempt saved. Tom Naylor (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ronan Curtis.

 

28'

Attempt missed. John Marquis (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ronan Curtis with a cross following a corner.

 

36'

Rochdale substitution. Injured Stephen Humphrys replaced by Matt Done.

 

36'

Attempt saved. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

 

41'

Attempt saved. Matt Done (Rochdale) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.

 

43'

Lee Brown booked for a foul on Alex Newby.

 

45 minutes up. 3 minutes added on.

 

45'+4'

Attempt missed. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box.

 

Whistle goes, and it's 0-0 at half-time.