Pompey's need to improve their away form is clear, but tests do not come much tougher than Saturday's visit to Sheffield United (3pm kick-off). John Mousinho's men are trying to halt an unwelcome run of seven successive defeats on the road in all competitions. But their opponents currently sit second in the standings and know that even a draw would see them climb back into the automatic promotion places. The Blades have suffered just two Championship home defeats this season, although they were beaten 3-0 by Hull in their most recent Bramall Lane contest. They bounced back from that shock loss to secure a 1-0 victory at struggling Derby last Saturday, with January arrival Ben Brereton Díaz grabbing the winner. Chris Wilder is looking to oversee an instant return to the Premier League following last season's relegation, when the side ended 16 points adrift of safety. And they would be in an even better position were it not for a two-point penalty imposed for a financial breach during their last stay at this level. It finished goalless when the clubs met at Fratton Park back in October and the omens are against the Blues this weekend, as they have not tasted success at Bramall Lane since 1955. TEAM NEWS Ibane Bowat (knee), Jacob Farrell (knee), Paddy Lane (knee), Regan Poole (hamstring), Jordan Williams (hamstring) and Kusini Yengi (knee) are all currently sidelined. Recent arrivals Adil Aouchiche, Kaide Gordon and Ben Killip are all available to make their debut, while Mark O'Mahony has recovered from a hip problem. Oliver Arblaster (knee), Tom Davies (hamstring), Kieffer Moore (hernia), Sai Sachdev (leg) and Jamie Shackleton (foot) are all expected to miss out for the hosts. But Blades fans could get a first sight of their deadline day signings Jefferson Cáceres, Rob Holding and Christian Nwachukwu. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 27 wins Sheffield United: 39 wins 11 draws At Bramall Lane Pompey: 6 wins Sheffield United: 28 wins 4 draws Last Away Meeting Sheffield United 1 (Blackman) Pompey 0 League One October 29 2012 TICKETS Pompey are no longer selling tickets for this fixture and they are not available to purchase at Sheffield United on Satuday. Click here to read information on visiting Bramall Lane that has been produced by the home club. OFFICIALS Referee: Oliver Langford Assistants: Mark Stevens and Ian Cooper Fourth Official: Andrew Kitchen Langford last took charge of Pompey when they were heavily beaten at Derby before Christmas, showing a solitary booking to Tom McIntyre. He has taken charge of 20 games so far this season, booking a total of 72 players and showing two red cards – both in his most recent match at Oxford last week. MATCH COVERAGE The game is available for international broadcast, including on Paramount+ and the CBS Sports Golazo Network in the USA. It will only be available to stream on Pompey+ in unsold international markets. Click here for more information on the EFL's unsold territories. The pre-match show is live before the game for all Pompey+ subscribers and overseas fans with a video subscription/match pass. George Wedlake will be joined in the Fratton Park studio by Mark Kelly and Paul Robinson. 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 live video coverage of half-time and post-match shows is only available 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.
Sheffield Utd Starting Line Up:- Number1, M. Cooper Number14, H. Burrows Number19, J. Robinson (c), Captain Number15, A. Ahmedhodžić Number18, H. Clarke Number21, Vinicius Souza Number24, H. Choudhury Number20, B. Brereton Number8, G. Hamer Number28, T. Cannon Number23, T. Campbell Substitutes Number7, R. Brewster Number35, A. Brooks Number31, L. Faxon Number5, R. Holding Number3, S. McCallum Number33, R. Norrington-Davies Number10, C. O'Hare Number42, S. Peck Number11, J. Rak-Sakyi
Pompey unchanged from the Burnley game. I would have liked to have seen Adil Aouchiche start the game playing on the right wing, with Callum Lang starting behind Colby Bishop. Apparently, Sheffield Utd have three players in their starting line up that cost at least £10 million each ! How the other half live, eh?!
Pompey wear traditional blue, white and red; the hosts are in red and white stripes, with black shorts and socks.
Colby Bishop left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 7th minute. Connor Shaughnessy's long ball is flicked on by Callum Lang to send Bishop clear, but he can't take it around Cooper.
Applause breaks out to pay tribute to Harvey Willgoose, with the referee stopping play so the teams can also take part. Harvey is the young Sheffield lad who was tragically stabbed to death recently at his school.
Callum Lang right footed shot from very close range is just a bit too high. 18 minutes. Conor Ogilvie sends the ball down the line for Josh Murphy and his low cross was deflected towards a stretching Callum Lang, who can only turn it over from a few yards out.
1-0 to the home side, with a goal from Gus Hamer. 24th minute. Why didn't we take our earlier chances?
1-1 now with an equaliser from Connor Ogilvie from a cross by Josh Murphy. 27 minutes. Connor's 4th goal of the season.
