Portsmouth v Barnsley: team news, likely line-ups, form guide and big-match odds ahead of FA Cup tie

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

Pompey team news

Pompey will leave it late to assess the fitness of right-back James Bolton for the game against Barnsley.

He limped off during the EFL Trophy win against Scunthorpe with a thigh injury and is rated 50-50.

That could open the door for Haji Mnoga to make only his second appearance of the season following a metatarsal injury.

Ross McCrorie has been earmarked to make his comeback from a hamstring problem against Lincoln next week.

That’s despite his return from parent club Rangers, where the Scot did the majority of his rehab.

Jack Whatmough isn’t likely to feature, either, after his comeback from a long-term knee injury against Scunny.

Meanwhile, Cameron McGeehan won’t play against his parent club under the terms of his loan deal.

Likely line-up: Alex Bass, James Bolton, Christian Burgess, Sean Raggett, Steve Seddon, Ben Close, Tom Naylor, Ryan Williams, Andy Cannon, Ronan Curtis, Ellis Harrison. Subs: Craig MacGillivray, Jack Whatmough, Marcus Harness, Gareth Evans, Brandon Haunstrup, John Marquis, Oli Hawkins.

Barnsley team news

The Tykes will be without defender Bambo Diaby for their visit to Fratton Park.

He centre-back is suspended from playing while the Football Association investigate reports he failed a drugs test following Barnsley’s defeat at Blackburn Rovers on November 23.

Midfielder Mike Bahre WILL also miss the trip south because of illness.

But the Championship outfit received better news regarding Clark Oduor.

Despite not being 100-per-cent fit following and ankle injury, he’s expected to be available to feature against Pompey.

Likely line-up: Bradley Collins, Jordan Williams, Mads Andersen, Ben Williams, Aapo Halme, Kenneth Dougall, Jacob Brown, Marcel Ritzmaier, Alex Mowatt, Cauley Woodrow, Conor Chaplin. Subs: Samuel Radlinger, Kilian Ludewig, Toby Sibbick, Callum Styles, Patrick Schmidt, Luke Thomas, Clarke Oduor.

Match odds

Pompey: 5/4

1-0 13/2, 2-0 9/1, 2-1 15/2, 3-0 20/1, 3-1 16/1, 3-2 25/1

Barnsley: 11/5

1-0 17/2, 2-0 16/1, 2-1 9/1, 3-0 40/1, 3-1 25/1, 3-2 28/1

Draw: 16/5

0-0 9/1, 1-1 5/1, 2-2 12/1, 3-3 55/1

Referee

Gavin Ward (Surrey)

Head to head

Pompey

P37 W21 D9 L7

Top scorer: Ronan Curtis (11)

Most appearances: Ben Close and John Marquis (both 34)

Most assists: Ryan Williams (6)

Barnsley

P31 W6 D9 L16

Top scorer: Conor Chaplin (10)

Most appearances: Conor Chaplin (29)

Most assists: Conor Chaplin (5)

Form guide

Pompey

W 2-1 (H) Scunthorpe EFL Trophy

W 1-0 (A) Bolton League One

W 2-1 (H) AFC Wimbledon League One

W 2-1 (A) Walsall EFL Trophy

W 2-1 (A) Fleetwood FA Cup

Barnsley

L 3-0 (H) Preston Championship

L 1-0 (A) Bristol City Championship

W 2-1 (H) Huddersfield Championship

W 3-1 (A) Crewe FA Cup

L 2-1 (A) Derby Championship

Other fixtures

Friday

Northampton v Derby, QPR v Sheffield Wednesday (both 8pm)

Saturday (3pm unless stated)

Brentford v Leicester (12.45pm), Burnley v Norwich, Coventry v Birmingham, Hull v Chelsea, Millwall v Sheffield United, Newcastle v Oxford United, Reading v Cardiff, Southampton v Spurs, West Ham v West Brom.

Sunday

Manchester City v Fulham (1pm), Shrewsbury v Liverpool (5pm).

Monday

Bournemouth v Arsenal (8pm).