League leaders Pompey host play-off chasing Oxford United at Fratton Park in an EFL League One clash on Saturday, March 2.
The two sides met at the end of January which resulted in a 2-2 draw. James Henry rescued a point for Oxford after Colby Bishop and Callum Lang had scored to cancel out Tyler Goodrham's opener.
Oxford at one stage looked to be contender for automatic promotion and a rival to Pompey but now 16 points separates the two sides with 11 games remaining. Des Buckinham's men are currently outside of the play-offs by two points following a midweek victory for Stevenage.
The vistors haven't won in their last three matches having lost to Leyton Orient last Saturday with draws against Northampton Town and Wycombe Wanderers coming before that. Pompey drew with Charlton Athletic last week but are on an eight game unbeaten run in which six of those have been victories.
Bolton Wanderers and Derby County dropped points in midweek and so with Derby not holding a game in hand and Bolton having only played one fewer game are seven points off which makes for a nice cushion at the top of the table.
Pompey a day before the match announced the signing of four-time Wales international Lee Evans. He was released by Championship play-off hopefuls Ipswich Town having undergone knee surgery earlier in the campaign. Portsmouth have been in need of midfield options following a spate of injuries and now have cover in an area that was short on options.
Porsmouth's injury list is extensive and there are some players who won't play a part again in the current campaign. Oxford have a few players out but it's not anywhere near as bad as Portsmouth. Here's the latest injury and team news ahead of Saturday's clash at Fratton Park.
21. Connor Ogilvie - doubt (continued)
Ogilvie sustained a head injury against Charlton and was substituted in the 61st minute. He will undergo an independent medical evaluation to assess whether he is able to play. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
22. Connor Ogilvie - doubt (continued)
John Mousinho said: "Connor needs to pass an independent test on Friday. We want to make sure we do the right thing by Connor and make sure everything is fine. ‘We know it wasn't a concussion at the weekend, but we still have to go through the same protocols that we’d always go through - and have been vigilant on that. ‘Connor has been out there, but not doing the full training sessions with us, just to make sure we protect him. ‘The club doctor was also in on Monday and Tuesday, making sure everything’s all right. and we expect him to be fit for the weekend. ‘Hopefully they will give us the green light. If not, we will respect that.’ | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
23. Zak Swanson - out (continued)
John Mousinho said: "He didn’t do a full training session with the first-team, but it was an introduction. ‘It’s the first time he has been back out on grass with his boots on with the first-team. "Hopefully we can get him involved a bit more on Friday and build him up to a full training session next week." | Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages
24. Zak Swanson - out
Been out since December with a groin injury. He's made a return to training but Saturday will come too soon. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages