Northampton v Portsmouth: injury news, likely line-ups, form guide and big-match odds

The Blues have collected just four points from their past five games and given themselves a mountain to climb in the race for a top-two spot.

With 15 games remaining, there is little margin for error.

Here’s all the key information you need ahead of the Sixfields clash...

Northampton team news

Northampton will be without on-loan Pompey midfielder Bryn Morris for the visit of the Blues.

The 24-year-old has featured 10 times for the Cobblers since joining on loan until the end of the season in January.

He was named on the bench in midweek as Northampton recorded their maiden win under caretaker boss Jon Brady and their first success in 2020 with a 2-0 triumph over Plymouth.

However, he will not even be allowed on the bench for the game at Sixfields because of the terms of his loan arrangement.

Brady could also be without defender Alan Sheehan, who was forced to withdraw early from last Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Swindon.

Predicted starting XI

Jonathan Mitchell, Fraser Horsfall, Peter Kioso, Joseph Mills, Lloyd Jones, Jack Sowerby, Ryan Watson, Shaun McWilliams, Sam Hoskins, Danny Rose, Ryan Edmondson. Subs: Steve Arnold, Cian Bolger, Michael Harriman, Mark Marshall, Alex Jones, Mikel Miller, Ricky Korboa.

Pompey team news

Pompey could welcome back both James Bolton and Michael Jacobs for the trip to Northampton.

The Blues’ right-back issues have been exposed in recent games following a groin injury picked up by Callum Johnson,

Haji Mnoga and centre-back Jack Whatmough have both been deployed there.

However, with Bolton back training following a knock, he could come back into the team for the visit to the Cobblers.

Jacobs is also available, having returned to training last week following a hamstring injury.

Pompey have been taking their time with him, but he should be fit to face Northampton.

The Blues confirmed on Thursday that keeper Alex Bass will be out for around six weeks with a fractured leg.

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Lee Brown, Ryan Williams, Tom Naylor, Andy Cannon, Ronan Curtis, George Byers, Ellis Harrison. Subs: Lewis Ward, James Bolton, Charlie Daniels, Marcus Harness, Harvey White, Michael Jacobs, John Marquis.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Northampton: 16/5

1-0 10/1, 2-0 20/1, 2-1 12/1, 3-0 40/1, 3-1 33/1, 3-2 40/1

Pompey: 4/5

1-0 6/1, 2-0 15/2, 2-1 15/2, 3-0 14/1, 3-1 14/1, 3-2 25/1

Draw: 11/4

0-0 10/1, 1-1 6/1, 2-2 16/1, 3-3 50/1

First goalscorer: John Marquis (7/2), Ronan Curtis and Ellis Harrison (both 5/1)

Referee

Andy Haines

Northampton stats

League position: 22nd

Top scorer: Danny Rose and Ryan Watson (both 5)

Top assists: Sam Hoskins (4)

Most appearances: Fraser Horsfall (32)

Pompey stats

League position: 5th

Top scorer: John Marquis (15)

Top assists: Marcus Harness (9)

Most appearances: John Marquis (38)

Form guide (all competitions)

Northampton: P40 W10 D9 L21

Past five games

W 2-0 Plymouth (H) – League One

L 2-1 Swindon (A) – League One

D 0-0 Rochdale (H) – League One

L 4-3 MK Dons (A) – League One

D 0-0 Ipswich (A) – League One

Pompey: P41 W21 D7 L13

Past five games

L 2-1 Doncaster Rovers (L) – League One

D 1-1 Gillingham (H) – League One

W 1-0 Oxford United (A) – League One

L 1-0 Blackpool (H) – League One

L 3-1 Bristol Rovers (A) – League One

Other fixtures (3pm kick offs unless stated)

Accrington Stanley v Swindon Town, Blackpool v AFC Wimbledon, Burton Albion v Peterborough United, Doncaster Rovers v Plymouth Argyle, Gillingham v Ipswich Town, Hull City v Bristol Rovers, Lincoln City v Crewe Alexandra, Oxford United v Charlton Athletic, Shrewsbury Town v Fleetwood Town, Sunderland v Rochdale, Wigan Athletic v MK Dons.