Pompey will look to climb back inside League One’s top six when they visit Wycombe on Sunday (12.30pm kick-off). Danny Cowley’s side hold up to three games in hand on all the sides around them and have not been beaten in almost seven weeks. But each of the past four fixtures have ended all square and the Blues will want to turn draws into wins. Their next opponents are four points worse off in 14th position and were narrowly beaten at Cheltenham in their last outing. Early exits from all three cup competitions means Gareth Ainsworth’s squad can now fully focus on league matters. The EFL’s second longest serving manager of one club – having joined in 2012 – led Wanderers to the Championship for the first time in their history in 2020. They made an instant return, but almost bounced straight back last term by qualifying for the play-offs. The Chairboys beat MK Dons over two legs in the play-offs, only to then suffer a 2-0 defeat by Sunderland at Wembley. Despite their form, Pompey took four points from their 2021/22 meetings with Wycombe, with Marcus Harness netting the only goal at Adams Park. TEAM NEWS Danny Cowley is hoping to have some of his injured party available again, with Michael Jacobs (hamstring), Tom Lowery (hamstring) and Louis Thompson (leg) all back in some form of training Joe Rafferty (stomach) and Jayden Reid (knee) remain sidelined, but Joe Morrell could feature after returning from Qatar. Joe Jacobson is suspended for the home side, with there are also doubts over the fitness of Curtis Thompson (knee). HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 6 wins Wycombe: 4 wins 6 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 3 wins Wycombe: 2 wins 4 draws OFFICIALS Referee: Scott Oldham Assistants: Stuart Butler and Grant Taylor Fourth Official: Alan Young TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation of tickets an no more will be made available for visiting supporters. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters based in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event. Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 12pm. Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary. Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device. We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not online). BETTING Wycombe are the 29/20 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 17/10.
Half time. 1-0 to the Chairboys, with a lovely goal in the 14th minute by Anis Mehmeti. Conor Ogilvie booked for a foul in the 39th minute for a foul. In the 33rd minute, Ronan Curtis tried to get a shot away in the penalty box, and appeared to be kicked in the head by Lewis Wing, but the referee waved play on.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Wycombe .................Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 52% Away 48% Shots: Home 6 Away 3 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 0 Corners: Home 2 Away 2 Fouls: Home 8 Away 9
Final whistle. 2-0 home win to Wycombe. Second goal came in the 88th minute from McLeary, from a pass by man of the match Mehmeti. Pompey made a double substitution at half time with Ryan Tunnicliffe and Reeco Hackett replacing Ronan Curtis and Jay Mingi. We also brought on Denver Hume for Conor Ogilvie in the 66th minute, and Josh Koroma for Michael Morrison in the 84th minute. Yellow cards for both Alfie Mawson for fouling Dane Scarlett, and Clark Robertson for a foul. Beaten by the better team on the day, but why the time wasting at every throw in and goal kick !!
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Wycombe ...............Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 42% Away 58% Shots: Home 14 Away 10 Shots on Target: Home 5 Away 3 Corners: Home 7 Away 10 Fouls: Home 12 Away 14
Very disappointing result but I suppose Wycombe confirmed today, that the present squad and/or methodology is not good enough to get a play-off place, let alone promotion. Points wise, we are as close to teams in the drop zone as we are to.Sheffield Wednesday! Mind the Gap!!!
Thank God England won. Otherwise it would have been a terrible night/morning Downunder. I would have to agree that the first half was the worst Pompey have played for some time. The Pompey mid field had no grip on the match what-so-ever. When Thomson was injured I thought that we had so much cover in the mid field positions it would have little effect. Now I think Thompson's recovery - and to a lesser extent Morrell's form - are our best hopes for improvement in the New Year. I was slightly heartened by Hackett's second half performance. He appeared to be the only player who was assured when in possession. PUP
