Pompey v Ipswich: Big match preview
Scroll down further to get the latest team news, thoughts from the dressing room. opposition facts, what our own gaffer for a day has to say, and much more.
Also, don’t forget to log on to portsmouth.co.uk for live text updates of all the action from PO4 (7.45pm kick-off)
Pompey team news
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Hide AdChristian Burgess will make his injury return for tonight’s visit of Ipswich.
The central defender has missed Pompey’s last five matches with an ankle ligament problem.
However, he will partner Adam Webster in defence against the Tractor Boys tonight.
Michael Doyle will also come into the side, lining-up alongside Adam Barton in the holding midfield two.
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Hide AdMeanwhile, Gary Roberts will keep his place after starting against Ipswich in th original fixture.
Hollands (broken leg) is missing, while Matt Clarke cannot face his parent club.
Ipswich team news
Skipper Luke Chambers, Cole Skuse and Christophe Berra won’t be risked for tonight’s match.
The trio have picked up slight injuries so Mick McCarthy has opted to rest them from the FA Cup replay.
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Hide AdTommy Oar, Piotr Malarczyk, Bartosz Bialkowski, Luke Varney and Luke Hyam – who featured in the first match – are once again like to start.
Jay Tabb, Giles Coke and Larsen Touré are also in the frame.
Teddy Bishop and David McGoldrick (both hamstring) are missing for the Tractor Boys.
Predicted teams
Pompey: Brian Murphy, Ben Davies, Christian Burgess, Adam Webster, Enda Stevens, Michael Doyle, Adam Barton, Gareth Evans, Gary Roberts, Kyle Bennett, Marc McNulty. Subs: Alex Bass, Adam McGurk, Nigel Atangana, Conor Chaplin, Ben Tollitt, Rommy Boco, Brandon Haunstrup
Formation: 4-2-3-1
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Hide AdIpswich: Bartosz Bialkowski, Josh Emmanuel, Piotr Malarczyk, Paul Digby, Myles Kenlock, Adam McDonnell, Jay Tab, Giles Coke, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Luke Varney, Tommy Oar. Subs: Dean Gerken, Kyle Hammond, Joe Robinson, Daryl Murphy, Ryan Fraser, Tommy Smith, Kevin Bru
Formation: 4-3-3
Latest odds (Supplied by The Betting Room)
Pompey (to win): 1-0 13/2, 2-0 8/1, 2-1 15/2, 3-0 16/1, 3-1 14/1, 3-2 22/1
Ipswich (to win): 1-0 7/1, 2-0 17/2, 2-1 17/2, 3-0 18/1, 3-1 18/1, 3-2 25/1
Draw: 0-0 13/2, 1-1 5/1, 2-2 11/1, 3-3 33/1
Opposition stats
Top scorer: Daryl Murphy – 8 goals, 26 games
Most assists: Freddie Sears – 6 assists, 28 games
Most appearances: Tommy Smith – 30 games
Ipswich form guide
Preston (H) D, Leeds (H) W, Pompey (H) D, Burnley (A) D, Brighton (A) W
Tonight’s other FA Cup replays
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Hide AdBristol City v West Bromwich Albion; Milton Keynes Dons v Northampton Town; Aston Villa v Wycombe; Bradford City v Bury; Yeovil Town v Carlisle United; Bolton Wanderers v Eastleigh (8pm); Reading v Huddersfield Town (8pm).
Tomorrow: Leicester v Spurs; Liverpool v Exeter (both 8pm)
Gaffer for a day – Brendon Bone
Obviously, we have no chance of making the FA Cup final this year, but this is the chance to build up for one of the biggest games of the season so far in Oxford United.
For that reason let’s put a strong team out, it’s the opportunity for them to gel.
Besides, if we completely switch the team around we could end up getting knocked for five or six, so it is important we approach it like any other match.
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Hide AdI’m a little bit gutted Danny Hollands has broken his leg, while Caolan Lavery has also left for now, so our front four should be the same which will line-up against Oxford.
That would be Gareth Evans, Gary Roberts, Kyle Bennett and Marc McNulty – we should be getting them used to working together.
I wouldn’t bring Christian Burgess back, though, keep him out until he is ready for the big games coming up, while Jack Whatmough is playing with Havant.
So I would put Adam Barton alongside Adam Webster.
In terms of the holding midfielders, it has to be Michael Doyle in there after missing the previous Ipswich match.
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Hide AdBen Close is one of the most assured players on the ball we have at Pompey, but I don’t believe we can have two inexperienced players there. The only alternative to Doyle would be Nigel Atangana.
Still, Paul Cook is a shrewd man who won’t listen to the likes of me and knows what he is doing.
We showed enough in the first game to suggest we can win this fixture, while there should also be a decent crowd roaring us on.
The team has enough about it to cause the Tractor Boys problems and I am thinking a draw and then us winning on penalties.
Then it’s onto Oxford – and we like turning over Oxford!