Portsmouth v Scunthorpe: team news, match odds, key stats and form guide ahead of EFL Trophy fixture

Pompey play host to League Two Scunthorpe in the quarter-final of the EFL Trophy tonight (7.45pm).
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Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game (7.45pm kick off)...

Pompey team news

Pompey will leave it late before making a decision on the availability of James Bolton and Ellis Harrison for the visit of Scunthorpe.

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Both featured in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Bolton but are doubts for the EFL Trophy quarter-final tie due to illness and a foot injury respectively.

Jack Whatmough is expected to start his first game of the season after being out with a long-term knee injury.

But the game will come too soon for Ross McCrorie.

He returned to the Blues today (Tuesday) after heading back to parent club Rangers to continue his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Craig MacGillivray is expected to start in goal tonight for PompeyCraig MacGillivray is expected to start in goal tonight for Pompey
Craig MacGillivray is expected to start in goal tonight for Pompey

Jackett will make several changes to the side that won at the University of Bolton Stadium, but is likely to keep his starting XI strong.

Scunthorpe team news

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Scunthorpe will be down to the bare bones for their trip to Fratton Park.

Manager Paul Hurst has only 13 first-team players to chose from for the quarter-final tie against the Blues.

However, that number could be boosted after top-scorer Kevin van Veen returned to training on Monday.

He’s been out injured after suffering a dead leg in the 3-1 win over Manchester City’s under-21s on January 8.

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Lee Novak is available despite being suspended in the league.

But in another blow to the Iron, the on-loan forward Jamie Proctor has been recalled by parent club Rotherham and sent out on loan again to National League outfit AFC Fylde.

Match odds

Pompey: 8/13

1-0 6/1, 2-0 13/2, 2-1 13/2, 3-0 11/2, 3-1 11/1, 3-2 22/1

Scunthorpe: 9/2

1-0 14/1, 2-0 28/1, 2-1 14/1, 3-0 80/1, 3-1 45/1, 3-2 45/1

Draw: 14/5

0-0 10/1, 1-1 6/1, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 60/1

Referee

Kevin Johnson (Weston-super-Mare)

Head to head

Pompey

P36 W20 D9 L7

Top scorer: Ronan Curtis (11)

Most appearances: Ben Close and John Marquis (both 33)

Most assists: Ryan Williams (6)

Scunthorpe

P35 W12 D9 L14

Top scorer: Kevin van Veen (13)

Most appearances: Alex Gilliead (32)

Most assists: Rory McArdle. Matthew Lund, Ryan Colclough, Kevin van Veen and Jordan Clarke (all 3)

Form guide

Pompey

W 2-1 (A) Walsall EFL Trophy

W 2-1 (A) Fleetwood FA Cup

D 1-1 (A) Gillingham League One

L 3-1 (A) MK Dons League One

W 2-0 (H) Wycombe League One

Scunthorpe

D 2-2 (A) Bradford League Two

L 2-1 (H) Newport League Two

W 3-1 (H) Manchester City U21 EFL Trophy

L 3-1 (H) Plymouth League Two

W 2-0 (A) Oldham League Two

Other fixtures (7.45pm kick offs unless stated)

Exeter City v Stevenage (7pm), Salford City v Accrington Stanley, Newport v Leicester U21 (7pm)

League One: Peterborough v Wycombe

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