Preview | Portsmouth (A)
The Game
Portsmouth v Argyle. Fratton Park. Wednesday, 12 March. 7.45pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Portsmouth were promoted last season from Sky Bet League One, but when they lost at Home Park in early November, it meant they had only won one of their first 14 games of this season.
Slowly, but surely, Pompey started to improve. They followed the Argyle defeat with a four-game unbeaten run – two wins, two draws – and although they lost 4-0 to Derby County after that, they reacted with a 4-1 win a home to Coventry City.
Portsmouth lost six of the next nine, but won the other three, all at home, against Swansea City, Middlesbrough and Stoke City, scoring nine goals in those three victories.
Since the start of February, Portsmouth have lost just one of the last seven, hitting their best form of the season. They have won four of the last five, beating Cardiff City, Oxford United and Queens Park Rangers in succession, before losing at Luton Town. Then, on Sunday, they won 1-0 at home to league leaders Leeds United.
Portsmouth now sit 17th, with 42 points from 36 games. They are ninth in the home form table, with nine wins from their 18 fixtures at Fratton Park.
The Gaffer
Head Coach John Mousinho’s appointment at Portsmouth was his first job in management, and he very much hit the ground running.
He took over at Fratton Park in January 2023, with Portsmouth in 15th, but he rallied them to eighth, giving confidence for the following season. That confidence was well-placed, as Pompey won League One with 97 points, sealing a return to the English second tier.
As a player, Mousinho featured notably for Brentford, Wycombe Wanderers, Stevenage and Preston North End, before playing over 100 times for Burton Albion and Oxford United. During his time with the latter, he was elected as chairman of the Professional Football Association.
The Squad
Portsmouth’s leading goalscorer is Callum Lang, with 10 goals. Lang signed for Portsmouth in the January transfer window of 2024, however he will not feature after suffering a hamstring injury against Oxford in February. Adil Aouchiche, signed on loan from Sunderland in January, could feature in his place.
Josh Murphy (below), 30, seems to be in the form of his career. The former Norwich City, Milton Keynes Dons and Cardiff City man helped Oxford United to promotion last season, but moved to fellow promoted side Portsmouth in the summer. He has six goals this season, and has had acclaim for his performances.
Andre Dozzell came through the ranks at Ipswich Town, the club where his dad Jason was a club a legend. He played almost 100 times before moving to Queens Park Rangers, and spent three seasons with them, including a loan spell at Birmingham City during last season. He moved to Portsmouth in the summer, and has been a mainstay in their midfield.
Recent Meetings
The teams met on 5 November, at Home Park, with Argyle winning 1-0 thanks to a Michael Obafemi goal. The last three league meetings at Fratton Park have all ended 2-2, with each game seeing Portsmouth score a late equaliser.
Tickets
Tickets for this match are now off sale. Collections are available on the day from the away turnstiles (19-22) at Fratton Park, from 90 minutes before kick-off.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will wear their green home kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin at 7.15pm, with Charlie Price and Ian Stonebridge bringing you build-up to the game, before handing over to the ground for commentary provided by Harry Salvidge and Garry Nelson.
Match passes to watch this game are available to certain international audiences. Click here for more information.
Sky Sports
The game will be available to watch on Sky Sports+
