Accrington v Portsmouth: early team news, predicted XIs, odds, form guides and key stats

Saturday’s 1-0 win against Bristol Rovers provided a massive boost of adrenaline to those hopes, with just three games remaining.

Yet another tricky test awaits the Blues at the Crown Ground, with John Coleman’s side harbouring an outside chance of gatecrashing the top six.

Accy will be buoyed by their dramatic draw at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Saturday, coming from behind twice to claim a point.

Pompey, however, will be hoping their host’s late showing will have drained them as they look to secure three of the six points Danny Cowley thinks will be enough to claim the Blues a place in the play-offs.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of kick-off (7pm).

Accrington Stanley team news

Joe Pritchard could be back in the Accrington squad after he was initially expected to return for Saturday’s draw at Sunderland.

He’s been out with a leg injury since April 10 but could return tonight if he passes a late fitness test.

Regular centre-back Mark Hughes, who has made 41 appearances this term, is unavailable for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

Rhys Fenlon and Nathan Baxter have also suffered season-ending injuries – hamstring and shoulder respectively – alongside young goalkeeper Liam Isherwood.

Ross Sykes, Lamine Kaba Sheriff and Mo Sangare are also out long-term.

Joe Maguire is available if needed, though, after recovering from illness.

Predicted line-up

Toby Savin, Harvey Rodgers, Ben Barclay, Michael Nottingham, Cameron Burgess, Seamus Conneely, Sean McConville, Matt Butcher, Adam Phillips, Dion Charles, Colby Bishop. Substitutes: Jack Buckley, Jon Russell, Tariq Uwakwe, Paul Smyth, Joe Pritchard, Harry Perritt, David Morgan.

Pompey team news

Lee Brown is in contention to start against Accrington.

The left-back has returned to full training and was part of the squad that departed for the north west yesterday afternoon.

Brown has missed the Blues’ past four games because of a hamstring injury.

Charlie Daniels has deputised in his absence – but was forced to make do with a place on the bench against Bristol Rovers as Danny Cowley opted for a 3-4-3 formation.

It’s likely Pompey will reverted back to a flat back four for tonight’s game at the Crown Ground, with Brown reinstalled at left-back.

In other injury news, Tom Naylor is fit after a hamstring scare prior to Saturday’s game against Rovers.

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Sean Raggett, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Lee Brown, Ben Close, Tom Naylor, Marcus Harness, George Byers, John Marquis, Ronan Curtis. Subs: Lewis Ward, Paul Downing, James Bolton, Charlie Daniels, Andy Cannon, Ryan Williams, Harvey White.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Accrington: 29/10

1-0 11/1, 2-0 20/1, 2-1 12/1, 3-0 40/1, 3-1 28/1, 3-2 33/1

Pompey: 19/20

1-0 13/2, 2-0 17/2, 2-1 15/2, 3-0 16/1, 3-1 14/1, 3-2 25/1

Draw: 5/2

0-0 10/1, 1-1 11/2, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 40/1

Referee:

Robert Madley

Pompey stats

League position: 7th

Top scorer: John Marquis (16)

Top assists: Marcus Harness (10)

Most appearances: Tom Naylor and Sean Raggett (50)

Accrington stats

League position: 12th

Top scorer: Dion Charles (20)

Top assists: Joe Pritchard (7)

Most appearances: Matt Butcher (46)

Form guide (all competitions)

Pompey: P53 W26 D8 L20

Past five games

W 1-0 Bristol Rovers (H) – League One

L 3-1 Swindon (A) – League One

L 1-0 MK Dons (A) – League One

D 0-0 Crewe (A) – League One

L 2-1 Burton (H) – League One

Accrington: P50 W20 D12 L18

Past five games

D 3-3 Sunderland (A) – League One

W 2-1 Doncaster Rovers (H) – League One

L 3-1 Rochdale (A) – League One

D 0-0 Blackpool (A) – League One

L 5-1 AFC Wimbledon (H) – League One

Other fixtures

Tonight (all 7pm kick-offs unless stated)

AFC Wimbledon v Rochdale, Burton Albion v Fleetwood, Charlton v Crewe, Shrewsbury v Lincoln City, Sunderland v Blackpool, Peterborough v Doncaster (7:45pm).