Portsmouth v Burton: team news, predicted XIs, referee, key stats and form guides

Danny Cowley’s perfect start to his reign at Fratton Park has seen the Blues record four straight victories and move back into the play-off places.

Pompey’s promotion hopes will be boosted further win a win against Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side.

However, the Brewers possess a different challenge to the one that saw Kenny Jackett’s then Blues side win 4-2 at the Pirelli Stadium back in October.

They’re no longer easy pickings, with Hasselbaink winning 10 of his 17 matches in charge after his New Year’s Day appointement.

That guarantees another intriguing battle for Cowley & Co come 3pm today.

Here’s all you need to know before kick-off...

Pompey team news

Pompey will make a call on Sean Raggett’s chances of playing after the defender’s visit to a surgeon for further analysis on a suspected broken cheekbone.

The centre-back is desperate to feature against Burton but the final decision will be based on the medical advice the Blues receive.

If Raggett doesn’t get the go-ahead, Rasmus Nicolaisen is expected to step up – presenting Paul Downing with the chance to return to the match-day squad as well after a prolonged period out of the equation.

Striker John Marquis serves the last game of his three-match ban, while the Blues will also have to make do without injured forward players Ellis Harrison and Jordy Hiwula.

Predicted line-up

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

Burton team news

Sean Clare and Jonny Smith are both injury doubts for the Brewers’ visit to Fratton Park.

The duo – on loan from Oxford United and Bristol City – picked up knocks in Burton’s 2-1 win against Swindon on Monday and will undergo fitness tests ahead of the their Pompey clash.

If fit, manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is likely to stick with the same starting XI that beat the Robins.

Since returning to the club on New Year’s day, the Burton boss has won 10 of his 17 games in charge – helping them move off the bottom of the table and away from the relegation zone.

Predicted line-up: Ben Garratt, John Brayford, Michael Bostwick, Hayden Carter, Thomas Hamer, Michael Mancienne, Ryan Edwards, Jonny Smith, Sean Clare, Kane Hemmings, Lucas Akins. Subs Kieron O’Hara, Josh Earl, Joe Powell, John-Joe O’Toole, Terry Taylor, Mike Fondop-Talom, Ryan Broom.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Pompey: 3/4

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

Burton: 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

Draw: 14/5

0-0 10/1, 1-1 13/2, 2-2 16/1, 3-3 50/1

Referee

John Busby

Pompey stats

League position: 4th

Top scorer: John Marquis (16)

Top assists: Marcus Harness (10)

Most appearances: Tom Naylor and Sean Raggett (45)

Burton stats

League position: 18th

Top scorer: Kane Hemmings (13)

Top assists: Joe Powell (9)

Most appearances: Lucas Akins (41)

Form guide (all competitions)

Pompey: P49 W25 D7 L17

Past five games

W 1-0 Wigan (A) – League One

W 2-1 Rochdale (H) – League One

W 2-1 Shrewsbury (A) – League One

W 2-1 Ipswich (H) – League One

L 1-0 Peterborough (A) – League One

Burton: P44 W12 D12 L20

Past five games

W 2-1 Swindon (H) – League One

D 0-0 Accrington (A) – League One

L 2-1 Shrewsbury (H) – League One

L 2-1 MK Dons (H) – League One

D 1-1 Blackpool (A) – League One

Other fixtures

Today (all 3pm kick-offs unless stated)

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