Portsmouth v Blackpool: team news, predicted XIs, referee, form guide and key stats

Pompey entertain Blackpool at Fratton Park today with a point to prove.
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Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat at lowly Bristol Rovers abruptly put the breaks on any automatic promotion ambitions.

It also reinforced a common opinion that the Blues don’t have the necessary consistency levels to secure a top-two position at the end of the season.

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A win against Blackpool would go a long way to change that view.

It will also help rectify the defeat suffered at the hands of the Seasiders at Bloomfield Road back in December.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game...

Pompey team news

Pompey are expected to make changes to the side that lost 3-1 at Bristol Rovers in midweek.

Pompey will once again be without manager Kenny Jackett for the visit of Neil Critchley's sidePompey will once again be without manager Kenny Jackett for the visit of Neil Critchley's side
Pompey will once again be without manager Kenny Jackett for the visit of Neil Critchley's side

And two of them could come in defence, with Jack Whatmough – who sat out the midweek trip to the Memorial Ground – expected to come in for James Bolton, rather than Sean Raggett, who is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up.

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Lee Brown, who replaced Charlie Daniels at half-time on Tuesday, could start his first game since the 1-0 defeat to Lincoln on January 26.

Marcus Harness could also come in and replace Ronan Curtis on the left-hand-side of the Blues’ attack.

Alex Bass, (fractured leg), Michael Jacobs and Paul Downing (both hamstring) remain out but Ben Close is once again available after his hamstring issue.

Predicted starting XI

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Lee Brown, Tom Naylor, Andy Cannon, George Byers, Marcus Harness, John Marquis, Ryan Williams. Subs: Lewis Morgan, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Charlie Daniels, Harvey White, Ronan Curtis, Jordy Hiwula, Ellis Harrison.

Blackpool team news

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Blackpool are expected to be without key defender Marvin Ekpiteta for the trip to Fratton Park.

He had to be substituted during the Pools’ 1-0 win against Rochdale on Tuesday night after suffering a hamstring injury.

The former Leyton Orient centre-back will have a scan on the problem today, but is expected to be out of the game against Pompey.

However, manager Neil Critchley is expected to have on-loan Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard back, after he sat out the win against Dale.

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Meanwhile, striker could also return following a groin injury.

Daniel Gretarsson, Keshi Anderson and CJ Hamilton are all long-term injury concerns,

Predicted line-up

Chris Maxwell, Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel, Daniel Ballard, James Husband, Luke Garbutt, Kevin Stewart, Kenny Dougall, Matthew Virtue, Sullay Kaikia, Grant Ward, Jerry Yates. Subs: Jack Sims, Oliver Turton, Jordan Thorniley, Elliot Embleton, Ethan Robson, Ellis Sims, Beryly Lubula.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Pompey: 1/1

1-0 13/2, 2-0 17/2, 2-1 8/1, 3-0 18/1, 3-1 16/1, 3-2 28/1

Blackpool: 13/5

1-0 9/1, 2-0 16/1, 2-1 11/1, 3-0 40/1, 3-1 28/1, 3-2 33/1

Draw: 5/2

0-0 9/1, 1-1 11/2, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 50/1

First goalscorer: John Marquis (4/1), Ronan Curtis (11/2), Ellis Harrison (6/1).

Referee

Sam Allison

Pompey stats

League position: 4th

Top scorer: John Marquis (14)

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Top assists: Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Ryan Williams (all with 8)

Most appearances: John Marquis (34)

Blackpool stats

League position: 14th

Top scorer: Jerry Yates (10)

Top assists: Sullay Kaikai, Christopher Hamilton and Jerry Yates (all with 3)

Most appearances: Jerry Yates (32)

Form guide

Pompey: P37 W20 D6 L11

Past five games

L 3-1 Bristol Rovers (A) – League One

W 2-0 Swindon (H) – League One

D 2-2 Plymouth (H) – League One

W 3-1 Charlton (A) – League One

L 1-0 Lincoln (H) – League One

Blackpool: P34 W14 D9 L11

Past five games

W 1-0 Rochdale (H) – League One

L 2-0 Ipswich (A) – League One

W 2-0 Northampton (H) – League One

W 5-0 Wigan (A) – League One

L 2-1 Brighton (A) – FA Cup

Other fixtures (3pm kick offs unless stated)

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

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