The Blues will be looking to round off their first season back in the second tier on a high as they face Hull City at Fratton Park on Saturday.
Although John Mousinho’s men have already sealed their survival, the Tigers make the trip to PO4 in the centre of a five-team fight to avoid relegation. Ruben Selles’ men currently occupy the final spot as two points separates themselves and Stoke City in 18th.
The Blues boss has already made it clear he will look to end the campaign in winning style and could be inclined to play his strongest XI on the final day.
With their survival already wrapped up, the head coach made a number of changes to the side for the trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, with Harvey Blair and Ben Killip surprise inclusions for the 1-1.
With Callum Lang, Rob Atkinson and Conor Shaughnessy all returning from injuries in recent weeks, could the head coach look to utilise them for the final time this season?
With this in mind, The News has attempted to put together Pompey’s strongest XI ahead of this Saturday’s game against Hull City.
9. RW: Matt Ritchie
The former Newcastle ace has been the first choice option at right-wing this term ahead of the injured Paddy Lane, Harvey Blair and Kaide Gordon. Blair did start against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and scored in his first start since October. But Ritchie has solidified his spot on the right since November and it will be a task to look past him for a spot on the final day. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
10. CAM: Callum Lang
Not many people would’ve expected to see Lang again this season after suffering a significant hamstring injury against Oxford United in February. The forward has made two appearances off the bench following his return against Watford. Should Mousinho want to play his strongest XI, then the 26-year-old could be handed his first start in more than two months. And what a boost that would be for Pompey on the final day. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
11. LW: Josh Murphy
The winger picked up all three accolades at the Blues’ end-of-season awards ceremony last week. The 30-year-old has been the standout in Mousinho’s squad, netting seven goals and registering 14 assists since his free-transfer arrival last summer. Murphy was surprisingly left out of the Championship’s team of the season but will look to end a fabulous maiden campaign at PO4 in strong fashion. | The News Photo: The News
12. ST: Colby Bishop
Bishop has started every game since his return from heart surgery in November. The striker completed a shock comeback against Preston after missing the first three months of the season after undergoing the operation. The 28-year-old has netted 11 goals and is the Blues’ top scorer this term. One of the first names on the team sheet after another outstanding campaign in front of goal. | National World