Inside the ‘Preview: Portsmouth vs. Stevenage – Prediction, Team News, Lineups’ Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s EFL Trophy clash between Portsmouth and Stevenage, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Portsmouth and Stevenage will battle for a place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Trophy when the two sides meet at Fratton Park on Tuesday.
Pompey saw a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end in their defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, while Stevenage has avoided defeat in their last six competitive games.
Preview: Portsmouth vs. Stevenage – Prediction, Team News, Lineups
Preview: Portsmouth vs. Stevenage – Prediction, Team News, Lineups
Match preview
© Reuters
Although Pompey has only lost one of their previous 10 games across all competitions, they have failed to win any of their last five league matches.
After playing out four consecutive draws in League One, they were beaten 2-0 by Wycombe Wanderers in their most recent outing.
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They were due to return to action on Saturday, but their away meeting with Accrington Stanley was postponed, which has allowed Danny Cowley‘s side to focus on Tuesday’s last 16 games in the EFL Trophy.
Pompey faced Ipswich Town in the round of 32 after they finished second in the group stage, and they managed to claim a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Dane Scarlett and Zach Swanson.
The hosts have avoided defeat in all of their 12 competitive home matches this season, although five of their last six home games have finished all square after 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, Stevenage are unbeaten in six games across all competitions, and they currently sit in second place in League Two.
Impressively, they have only lost one of their last 12 league matches, although they had to settle for a point on Saturday when they played out a goalless draw with Mansfield Town.
As they turn their attention to Tuesday’s cup game, they will look to continue their fine form in the EFL Trophy after winning all four games in the competition this season.
In the last round, goals from David Amoo, Daniel Sweeney and Arthur Read helped Stevenage claim a 3-2 victory over Arsenal Under 21s.
With the visitors unbeaten in their previous seven away games in all competitions, they will believe that at the very least they can take the last-16 tie to penalties.
Portsmouth EFL Trophy form:
Portsmouth form (all competitions):
Stevenage EFL Trophy form:
Stevenage form (all competitions):
Team News
© Reuters
The hosts are expected to be without the services of Tom Lowery, Louis Thompson, Jayden Reid and Joe Rafferty due to injury issues.
There are also doubts over the availability of Kieran Freeman and Swanson after the pair missed the league defeat to Wycombe.
Josh Oluwayemi is set to replace Josh Griffiths in goal, and although Cowley could make a few changes to his side, he is expected to name a strong lineup.
As for the visitors, will also swap their goalkeepers, with Taye Ashby-Hammond expected to make way for Aaron Chapman.
With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, Evans could decide against making too many changes to his starting XI, although Max Clark, Arthur Read and Amoo could come into the side.
There may also be a place in the lineup for Danny Rose, who will be looking to add to the eight goals that he has scored across all competitions this term.
Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Oluwayemi; Morrison, Raggett, Ogilvie; Dale, Pack, Mingi, Hume; Hackett, Curtis, Scarlett
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Chapman; James-Wildin, Sweeney, Piergianni, Earley; Gilbey, Campbell, A. Read, Reeves; Rose, Amoo
We say: Portsmouth 1-1 Stevenage
With five of their last six home games in all competitions finishing all square, we think that Pompey will play out another draw on Tuesday against Stevenage, which would send the last-16 tie to penalties.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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