Portsmouth v Wigan: team news, predicted line-ups, form guide and big-match odds

After goalless draws with Shrewsbury and Rochdale, the Blues are bidding to finally get their 2020-21 campaign up and running.

Pompey face Wigan for the first time since an entertaining 2-1 victory in front of the Sky Sports cameras in April 2018.

The Latics’ plight has been well-documented, having been relegated from the Championship after being hit with a 12-point deduction for entering administration.

Here’s all the information you need to know heading into the game...

Pompey team news

Michael Jacobs is vying to make his full Pompey debut against his former club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Blues on a free transfer last week, having departed the Latics from their relegation to League One.

Jacobs came off the bench in the goalless draw at Rochdale last weekend.

But after almost a fortnight of training with his new team, he could come in from the start.

With Gareth Evans set to depart, Jacobs is battling Andy Cannon to start in the number-10 role.

FC Midtjylland loanee Rasmus Nicolaisen is likely to be on the bench for his first Blues match rather than be chucked into the starting XI.

Predicted starting XI

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Lee Brown, Tom Naylor, Bryn Morris, Marcus Harness, Andy Cannon, Ronan Curtis, John Marquis.

Subs: Duncan Turnbull, Rasmus Nicolaisen, James Bolton, Ben Close, Michael Jacobs, Ryan Williams, Ellis Harrison.

Wigan team news

Former Pompey favourite Gary Roberts won’t be in action at Fratton Park.

The 2017 League Two title-winner suffered a hamstring injury in Wigan’s 3-2 loss to Gillingham last weekend and is expected to be sidelined for more than a month.

However, another member of Paul Cook’s squad who won the title, Kal Naismith, will start in his first game back at PO4 since leaving two years ago.

Ex-loanee Viv Solomon-Otabor is also expected to start while one-time target Gavin Massey is in contention having recovered from a setback.

Predicted starting XI

Jamie Jones, Thomas James, Cameron Nathan, Danny Fox, Tom Pearce, Lee Evans, Alex Perry, Viv Solomon-Otabor, Kal Naismith, Ollie Crankshaw, Joe Garner.

Subs: Owen Evans, Adam Long, Emeka Obi, Kyle Joseph, Gavin Massey, Christopher Merrie, Ollie Crankshaw.

Match-day odds (Bet365)

Pompey: 3/5

Wigan 19/4

Draw: 3/1

Referee

Antony Coggins

Pompey stats

Top scorer: Marcus Harness (2)

Most assists: Ronan Curtis (2)

Wigan stats

Top scorer: Joe Garner (4)

Most assists: Tom Pearce (2)

Form guide

Pompey

P5 W1 D3 L1

Past five games

D 0-0 Rochdale (A) – League One

L 4-0 Brighton (A) – Carabao Cup

D 0-0 Shrewsbury (H) – League One

W 2-0 Colchester (H) – EFL Trophy

D 3-3 Stevenage (A) – Carabao Cup (Pompey won 3-1 on penalties)

Wigan

P4 W1 D0 L3

Past five games (including friendlies)

W 6-1 Liverpool under-21s (H) – EFL Trophy

L 3-2 Gillingham (H) – League One

L 2-0 Ipswich (A) – League One

L 3-2 Fleetwood (A) – Carabao Cup

W 3-2 Bradford (A) – friendly

Other games

Tomorrow (all 3pm kick-offs): Accrington Stanley v Oxford United, Crewe Alexandra v MK Dons, Doncaster Rovers v Bristol Rovers, Fleetwood Town v AFC Wimbledon, Gillingham v Blackpool, Ipswich Town v Rochdale, Northampton Town v Hull City, Plymouth Argyle v Shrewsbury Town, Sunderland v Peterborough United, Swindon Town v Burton Albion.

Sunday: Lincoln City v Charlton Athletic (3pm).