In-form Pompey host high-scoring Posh

Portsmouth will be hoping they can stretch their winning run to seven games, but it may prove to be a tough task as Peterborough visit Fratton Park.

This fixture couldn’t have been set up any better, with both sides now striving towards the top end of the table. 

Darren Ferguson’s men, who have scored 40 goals already this campaign, travel to the south-coast, without a league win on the road since October. So Portsmouth should be confident going into this one, as they’ve lost just two home league games in 2019. One of them losses incidentally came against Peterborough, who put an end to their automatic promotion hopes last season, winning 3-2.

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The home team will be hoping captain Tom Naylor will be fit enough to return to the side. Naylor limped off in the 2-1 victory over Harrogate Town on November 11th and was expected back around the start of this month.

It could be a big boost for Kenny Jackett’s men who look to make it 10 games unbeaten in all competitions.

Peterborough could be without two key attacking threats in Siriki Dembele and Marcus Maddison. Dembele has a suspected broken wrist after falling awkwardly during their EFL Trophy defeat to Ipswich and Maddison missed that fixture through illness, but is expected back in time for tomorrow.

Meanwhile, it will be a return to Fratton Park for defender Nathan Thompson, after he left the club in the summer.

Thompson spent two seasons with the home side and knows what to expect coming back as the opposition:

“I think you always hope for a good reception, but of course I am not sure.

“I know their fans feel as though I snubbed them at the time when I left and they will certainly make their mind up on that and probably air it, but that’s football.

“At Fratton Park, the stands are very close to the pitch so there is no hiding place.

“But as I say, I am old enough and wise enough now to deal with that sort of flak I get, if there is any, and if selected just perform as well as I can.”

With their season now back on track, Pompey boss Kenny Jackett believes his side are confident of passing the test against the Posh:

“The run that we’re on will give the players confidence and belief that what we’re doing is correct.

“It also tells them that the group – and it’s always about that rather than individuals – can be successful this season.

“Performances can be good, bad or indifferent, but the important thing is whether you get over the line. Ultimately, it’s only success that will build confidence and that’s such an important thing to have in this game.”

So early on in the season, it’s hard to say how much it will define. Neither side will want to lose this one, but not all is lost for either team, if it is the case.

Head-to-head:

Portsmouth wins: 11

Draws: 8

Peterborough wins: 8