Portsmouth v Wimbledon: early team news, predicted XIs, match odds, first goalscorer, form guides and key stats

Pompey welcome AFC Wimbledon to Fratton Park tonight – their first home game in more than a month after their enforced break and four consecutive away fixtures.
Pompey play host to AFC Wimbledon tonight in League One.Pompey play host to AFC Wimbledon tonight in League One.
Pompey play host to AFC Wimbledon tonight in League One.

Despite sitting third in the table, the Blues’ form at PO4 this term has been average, to say the least – the 11th best in the division.

However, they’ll be hopeful of getting a result against a Dons side who were beaten 3-0 at home to Sunderland on Saturday, sit 21st in the table, and whose last away win in the league came against Rochdale on November 21.

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Here’s all you need to know going into tonight’s game (7pm)...

Pompey team news

Pompey new-boy Harvey White will go straight into the Blues’ squad for the visit of AFC Wimbledon.

The Spurs loanee will have to made do with a place on the bench, though, with in-form Andy Cannon and Tom Naylor the Blues’ midfield driving force.

Ronan Curtis is also back in the frame, after recovering from coronavirus.

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He’s missed Pompey’s past three games and has not featured since the win at Hull on December 18.

Curtis has been looking sharp in training but might have to settle for coming off the bench as the Blues attempt to ease him back into the team.

Alex Bass remains in the treatment room, allowing Duncan Turnbull to continue as back-up keeper to Craig MacGillivray.

Predicted starting XI

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Lee Brown, Ryan Williams, Tom Naylor, Andy Cannon, Michael Jacobs, John Marquis, Marcus Harness.

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Subs: Duncan Turnbull, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Ben Close, Harvey White, Ronan Curtis, Ellis Harrison, Jordy Hiwula.

AFC Wimbledon team news

The Dons have defensive problems at the moment, with key centre-backs Terrell Thomas (Illness) and Ben Heneghan (hamstring) both currently absent.

That’s meant manager Glyn Hodges has had to reshuffle his pack, operating with four at the back instead of the Dons’ usual five-man defensive line.

Up front, Ollie Palmer is out.

However, the return of trio Paul Osew, Jackko Oksanen and Luke O’Neill has provided the Londoners with a welcome boost.

Predicted line-up

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Sam Walker, Daniel Csoka, Will Nightingale, Nesta Guinness-Walker, Alex Woodyard, Ethan Chislett, Jack Rudoni, Jackko Oksanen, Shane McLoughlin, Ryan Longman, Joe Pigott. Subs: Nik Tzanev, Luke O’Neill, Chete Alexander, Paul Kalambayi, Anthony Hartigan, Callum Reilly, Zach Robinson.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Pompey: 8/15

1-0 5/1, 2-0 6/1, 2-1 15/2, 3-0 10/1, 3-1 12/1, 3-2 28/1

AFC Wimbledon: 11/2

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

Draw: 3/1

0-0 17/2, 1-1 13/2, 2-2 18/1, 3-3 66/1

First scorer: John Marquis 11/4; Ronan Curits 9/2, Ellis Harrison 5/1.

Referee

Trevor Kettle

Pompey stats

Top scorer: John Marquis (12)

Top assists: Ronan Curtis (7)

Most appearances: John Marquis (27)

AFC Wimbledon stats

Top scorer: Joe Pigott (12)

Top assists: Joe Pigott and Ryan Longman (both 4)

Most appearances: Joe Pigott (26)

Form guide

Pompey: P30 W15 D6 L8

Past five games

W 1-0 Fleetwood (A) – League One

L 5-1 Peterborough (A) – Papa John’s Trophy

L 2-1 Bristol City (A) – FA Cup

W 2-0 Hull (A) – League One

D 0-0 Fleetwood (H) – League One

AFC Wimbledon: P29 W9 D8 L12

Past five games

L 3-0 Sunderland (H) – League One

W 1-0 Bristol Rovers (A) – Papa John’s Trophy

L 2-1 Lincoln (H) League One

L 2-0 Oxford (A) – League One

L 2-1 Crewe (H) – League One

Other fixtures (7pm kick offs unless stated)

Blackpool v Northampton Town, Crewe Alexandra v Bristol Rovers, Doncaster Rovers v Rochdale, Hull v Accrington (5.30pm), Lincoln v Gillingham – OFF, MK Dons v Fleetwood, Peterborough United v Charlton Athletic (6.30pm), Sunderland v Plymouth Argyle.

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