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

Anything other than a win could see the Blues’ hopes of finishing in the top six all but go.

Meanwhile, a defeat and results elsewhere going against them could see Rovers heading back to League Two.

It’s all to play for at Fratton Park.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of kick-off (1pm).

Bristol Rovers team news

Joey Barton confirmed on Friday that former Hawks striker Jonah Ayunga, who started the midweek defeat at the hands of MK Dons, is out of today’s game because of injury.

It’s also been suggested that the front man could miss the rest of the season, joining Max Ehmer, Ali Koiki, Josh Grant, Sam Nicholson and Abu Ogogo in seeing his campaign end early.

Predicted line-up

Anssi Jaakkola, George Williams, Alfie Kilgour, Jack Baldwin, Alex Rodman, Pablo Martinez, Luke McCormick, Luke Leahy, Brandon Hanlan, Erhun Oztumer, Zain Westbrooke. Substitutes: Joe Day, Zain Walker, James Daly, Josh Hare, David Tutonda, Cain Harries, James Daly.

Pompey team news

Pompey are hopeful of having Lee Brown available for Saturday’s clash with Bristol Rovers.

Brown has been battling to recover from a hamstring injury picked up against Burton Albion, but is now training.

That could mean he vies to start with Charlie Daniels, whose made several mistakes in recent games.

Elsewhere, George Byers is pushing for inclusion while Andy Cannon’s playing time could again be limited as he battles an ongoing back issue.

Jack Whatmough will continue his four-game suspension for the red card picked up at MK Dons.

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Sean Raggett, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Charlie Daniels, Ben Close, Tom Naylor, Marcus Harness, Ryan Williams, John Marquis, Ronan Curtis. Subs: Lewis Ward, Paul Downing, James Bolton, Lee Brown, Andy Cannon, George Byers, Harvey White.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Pompey: 11/20

1-0 11/2, 2-0 6/1, 2-1 15/2, 3-0 10/1, 3-1 12/1, 3-2 28/1

Bristol Rovers: 11/2

1-0 14/1, 2-0 28/1, 2-1 18/1, 3-0 66/1, 3-1 40/1, 3-2 50/1

Draw: 14/5

0-0 9/1, 1-1 13/2, 2-2 18/1, 3-3 50/1

Referee

Thomas Bramall

Pompey stats

League position: 8th

Top scorer: John Marquis (16)

Top assists: Marcus Harness (10)

Most appearances: Tom Naylor and Sean Raggett (49)

Bristol Rovers stats

League position: 24th

Top scorer: Luke Leahy (10)

Top assists: Zain Westbrooke (7)

Most appearances: Brandon Hanlan (46)

Form guide (all competitions)

Pompey: P53 W25 D8 L20

Past five games

L 3-1 Swindon (A) – League One

L 1-0 MK Dons (A) – League One

D 0-0 Crewe (A) – League One

L 2-1 Burton (H) – League One

W 1-0 Wigan (A) – League One

Bristol Rovers: P52 W14 D10 L28

Past five games

L 2-0 MK Dons (H) – League One

L 1-0 Lincoln City (A) – League One

D 1-1 Northampton (A) – League One

W 2-1 Doncaster (H) – League One

L 2-1 Ipswich (A) – League One

Other fixtures

Today (all 3pm kick-offs unless stated)

Blackpool v Shrewsbury, Charlton v Peterborough, Crewe v Rochdale, Doncaster v Fleetwood, Gillingham v Northampton, Ipswich v AFC Wimbledon, Lincoln City v Hull, MK Dons v Swindon, Oxford Utd v Plymouth, Sunderland v Accrington, Wigan v Burton