Pompey promotion watch: Tonight's games explained

What a difference 90 minutes of football makes.
Will Pompey be enjoying more than victory against Morecambe tonight? Picture: Joe PeplerWill Pompey be enjoying more than victory against Morecambe tonight? Picture: Joe Pepler
Will Pompey be enjoying more than victory against Morecambe tonight? Picture: Joe Pepler

At 3pm on Saturday, Pompey faced the real possibility of being nine points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

But come 5pm, after a thrilling 3-0 away win at rivals Carlisle, the Blues could look at tonight’s round of fixtures and forsee a scenario where they could occupy the top three in League Two.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Once again, it will depend on results elsewhere – but we’ll take that at this moment in time.

So, under what circumstances can we see Pompey move up to third in the table and add that little bit more pressure on the top two - Doncaster and Plymouth?

Well, it’s simple really.

A win tonight against Morecambe will see Paul Cook’ reside on 58 points.

And if Carlisle, who face a tricky trip to a Cheltenham side who have won their past two games, lose at Whaddon Road then it will be they who will be enviously looking up at those above them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A win or draw for the Cumbrians will obviously keep them in the top three.

But they could potentially just be delaying what some would call the inevitable, with the Blues having a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

No pressure then!

Of course, that could also change if Pompey slip up in any way tonight against the Shrimps, but let’s not go there. Let’s keep it positive!

Indeed, if Cook & Co can make it a fourth win in five outings, then their title bid could even be back on!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Those directly above them have hardly been in great form in recent weeks.

Table-toppers Doncaster (65 points) have no wins in five going into tonight’s game at Cambridge, taking only four points out of 15.

The U’s themselves are unbeaten in three and have won their past two matches.

Donny will hardly be relishing their trip to the Abbey Stadium!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As for second-placed Plymouth, they host Nott County desperate to turn around a form guide that currently reads only three wins in eight games.

They sit on 62 points and, like Pompey, have a game in hand on Rovers.

But without a win in three outings, a side currently short in confidence could easily be turned over by a Magpies outfit showing signs of recovery under Kevin Nolan’s management.

County are unbeaten in four games and will go to Home Park in a confident mood.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Elsewhere, other games to look out for include Exeter’s trip to Crawley.

But no matter how that match goes, the sixth-placed Grecians (51) are unable to leapfrog the Blues in the table.

Colchester (50), who are in seventh, travel to Grimsby (14th), while Mansfield (eighth on 50 points) head to Yeovil.

Stevenage, who also have an eye on the play-offs, host second-from-bottom Leyton Orient.

Luton, who sit directly below Pompey in the table, have no game.