After enjoying their home comforts over the past week, Pompey now head back out on the road to visit West Brom on Saturday (3pm kick-off). And while just two points have been dropped from the seven most recent south coast contests, John Mousinho's men have not avoided defeat away from Fratton Park since the end of November. Their next opponents are currently sitting just one point outside the Championship play-off positions in seventh spot. But the Baggies have not won any of their past four fixtures in all competitions and were beaten 2-0 at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. That result ruined the first game back in charge for Tony Mowbray, who replaced Carlos Corberán following his Christmas Eve departure to Valencia. He had taken time out of the game, having stepped down from his role at Birmingham last season to receive treatment for bowel cancer. Mowbray had previously guided Albion to the Championship title and FA Cup semi-final, where they were beaten by Pompey at Wembley in 2008. This will be the first meeting between the sides at The Hawthorns since a Premier League contest later that calendar year, which ended 1-1 after Peter Crouch cancelled out Jonathan Greening's opener. West Brom triumphed 3-0 at Fratton Park earlier in the current campaign, however, as Josh Maja's early opener was added to by an Alex Mowatt brace. TEAM NEWS Ibane Bowat (knee), Jacob Farrell (knee), Paddy Lane (knee), Mark O'Mahony (hip), Regan Poole (hamstring) and Kusini Yengi (knee) are all currently sidelined. Pompey are waiting on international clearance for new signing Thomas Waddingham, while Conor Shaughnessy could feature after returning to full training following calf problems. West Brom’s top scorer Josh Maja is out with a leg injury, with Semi Ajayi (leg), Daryl Dike (Achilles) also absent. But Isaac Price could make his debut and midfielder Jed Wallace will hope to feature against his former club. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Connor Ogilvie ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 20 wins West Brom: 44 wins 14 draws At The Hawthorns Pompey: 7 wins West Brom: 26 wins 4 draws Last Away Meeting West Brom 1 (Greening) Pompey 1 (Crouch) Premier League December 7 2008 TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation of tickets and no more are available to purchase at West Brom on the day of the game. OFFICIALS Referee: Jared Gillett Assistants: Darren Cann and Nick Hopton Fourth Official: Ed Duckworth This will be the first Pompey match that Australian referee Gillett has taken charge of. He has officiated eight domestic games so far this season –including the Community Shield at Wembley – and shown 34 yellow cards. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters based overseas can watch the game on Pompey+ (also available on Paramount+ either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. The pre-match show is live before the game for Pompey+ subscribers and overseas fans with a video subscription/match pass. George Wedlake will be joined by Paul Hardyman and Paul Robinson in the Fratton Park studio. 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.
West Bromwich Albion:- Number1, A. Palmer Number4, C. Styles Number14, T. Heggem Number3, M. Holgate Number2, D. Furlong Number7, J. Wallace (c) Number10, J. Swift Number27, A. Mowatt Number31, T. Fellows Number22, M. Johnston Number11, G. Diangana Substitutes:- Number18, K. Ahearne-Grant Number37, O. Bostock Number44, D. Cole Number17, O. Diakité Number24, G. Frabotta Number21, I. Price Number20, U. Račić Number15, C. Taylor Number23, J. Wildsmith
Mass changes to the Pompey starting line up, with Jordan Williams/Rob Atkinson/Freddie Potts/Josh Murphy/Callum Lang all rested, and dropped to the bench. In come Zak Swanson/Andre Dozzell/ Christian Saydee/Ryley Towler/Terry Devlin. Young Aussie signing Tommy Waddingham is named on the bench. Ex-Pompey player Jed Wallace captains the West Brom side.
Ryley Towler header from the left side of the six yard box following a corner by Matt Ritchie. 19 minutes.
1-0 as Alex Mowatt scores, as Nicolas Schmid mishandles the ball. Against the run of play. 25 minutes.
Marlon Pack rises to meet a Matt Ritchie corner, but his header just clears the crossbar. 34 minutes.
Half time whistle. 4-0 to the Baggies. We were by far the better side for the first 24 minutes, but then the home team took over, aided by a few Pompey mistakes! They deserve to be ahead. Be interesting to see how we react in the second half, could be a couple of substitutions being made by John Mousinho.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession West Bromwich Albion 73.4%Portsmouth 26.6% Shots West Bromwich Albion 8Portsmouth 5 Shots on target West Bromwich Albion 6Portsmouth 1 Total touches inside the box West Bromwich Albion 11Portsmouth 5 Goalkeeper saves West Bromwich Albion 1Portsmouth 2 Fouls West Bromwich Albion 3Portsmouth 10 Corners West Bromwich Albion 4Portsmouth 4
