Fleetwood v Portsmouth: team news, likely line-ups and big-match odds ahead of League One promotion battle

After three postponed fixtures because of coronavirus cases and a frozen pitch at Accrington, the Blues have lost their past two games since returning.

Kenny Jackett’s side fell to a 2-1 loss at Bristol City in the FA Cup on Sunday before a second-string team was thrashed 5-1 by Peterborough in the Papa John's Trophy two days later.

However, there are now no distractions for Pompey as they push for promotion from the third tier.

Here’s all the key information you need ahead of today’s game...

Fleetwood team news

Interim Fleetwood boss Simon Wiles will once again assess his options as he takes charge of his first league game following Joey Barton’s sacking.

He lead the team for Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss at Hull in the Papa John’s Trophy following an enforced break due to a coronavirus outbreak.

Wiles made five changes to the last team Barton picked – a 1-1 draw against Crewe on Boxing Day.

But with players being unavailability for that KCOM Stadium game due to Covid issues and self-isolating, he’ll be hoping to have more options available for the visit of Pompey.

The Cod Army could hand a debut to Kyle Vassell, who completed a loan switch yesterday from Rotherham for the remainder of the season.

Predicted line-up

Joe Hilton, Callum Connolly, Danny Andrew, Wes Burns, Callum Camps, Josh Morris, Paul Coutts, Paddy Madden, Glen Whelan, Ryan Rydel, Harvey Saunders

Subs: Johnathon Borwick, Jordan Rossiter, Mark Duffy, James Hill, Jay Matete, Shayden Morris, Barrie McKay.

Pompey team news

The latest round of coronavirus testing at Pompey has come back all clear – but manager Kenny Jackett will still be without Ronan Curtis for Saturday’s trip to Fleetwood.

The winger tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week. He’s on the road to recovery but is not available for the League One encounter at Highbury Stadium, with his period of self-isolation not due to expire until Sunday.

Also unavailable for the Cod Army fixture will be Paul Downing and Alex Bass – although neither were expected to feature against Fleetwood.

Bass has a calf strain he picked up in training prior to the Robins Cup tie.

Meanwhile, Downing has a hamstring injury he picked up during that London Road fixture.

Jack Whatmough, who tested for coronavirus over the festive period, is set to return to the heart of the Blues defence at the expense of on-loan Dane Rasmus Nicolaisen.

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Lee Brown, Ryan Williams, Tom Naylor, Andy Cannon, Michael Jacobs, John Marquis, Marcus Harness.

Subs: Duncan Turnbull, Haji Mnoga, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Ben Close, Bryn Morris, Ellis Harrison, Jordy Hiwula.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Fleetwood: 21/10

1-0 8/1, 2-0 14/1, 2-1 10/1, 3-0 33/1, 3-1 25/1, 3-2 33/1

Pompey: 13/10

1-0 13/2, 2-0 10/1, 2-1 17/2, 3-0 20/1, 3-1 18/1, 3-2 28/1

Draw: 23/10

0-0 17/2, 1-1 11/2, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 50/1

First scorer: John Marquis 15/4; Paddy Madden 6/1

Referee

James Bell

Fleetwood stats

Top scorer: Callum Camps (8)

Top assists: Josh Morris (6)

Most appearances: Callum Camps and Paul Coutts (both 26)

Pompey stats

Top scorer: John Marquis (11)

Top assists: Ronan Curtis (7)

Most appearances: John Marquis (26)

Form guide

Fleetwood: P29 W13 D6 L10

Past five games

L 3-2 (A) Hull – Papa John’s Trophy

D 1-1 (A) Crewe – League One

D 1-1 (H) Wigan – League One

D 0-0 (A) Pompey – League One

W 1-0 (A) Swindon – League One

Pompey: P29 W14 D6 L8

Past five games

L 5-1 Peterborough (A) – Papa John’s Trophy

L 2-1 Bristol City (A) – FA Cup

W 2-0 Hull (A) – League One

D 0-0 Fleetwood (H) – League One

W 2-0 Ipswich (A) – League One

Other fixtures (3pm kick offs unless stated)

Accrington Stanley v Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon v Sunderland (1pm), Bristol Rovers v Charlton Athletic, Burton Albion v Ipswich Town, Hull v Blackpool, Northampton Town v Oxford United, Peterborough United v MK Dons, Plymouth Argyle v Crewe Alexandra, Rochdale v Wigan, Swindon Town v Doncaster Rovers.