Portsmouth welcome Arsenal to Fratton Park in the opening Fifth Round tie of this season’s FA Cup in Monday Night Football.
This is the first tie in the Fifth Round’s new midweek slot with eight games spread over four nights, as Arsenal look to bounce back from a shock Europa League exit on Thursday night.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesRonan Curtis and Tom Naylor are doubts for Portsmouth after picking up knocks in Friday night’s League One win over Rochdale.
Kenny Jackett otherwise has a full Pompey squad available for selection.
Arsenal could have Pablo Mari his debut after spending the last month building up his fitness levels.
Cedric Soares (knee) and Kieran Tierney (shoulder) are expected to also be in contention but Calum Chambers (knee), Sead Kolasinac (shoulder) and Shkodran Mustafi (muscle) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Portsmouth are winless in four previous FA Cup meetings against Arsenal (D1, L3).
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 trips to Fratton Park in all competitions (W5, D6), excluding their EFL Trophy meeting in December 2018.
- Portsmouth haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last six FA Cup games, dating back to a 1-1 home draw against QPR in the Fourth Round of last season’s competition.
- Arsenal have progressed beyond this stage in four of their last eight seasons.
- Portsmouth have scored first in their last three FA Cup games.
Prediction
This is a huge test for Portsmouth because Arsenal are either going to come out fighting from the get-go, or remain in a low morale slumber from Thursday’s shock Europa League exit which is a psychological blow to their European hopes for next season.
Jackett’s team are however on a roll at home with just one home defeat all season, suggesting that this could be closer than many expected irrespective of Arsenal’s confidence issues.
I therefore am expecting this to be a tough contest if Arsenal turn up and don’t let Portsmouth dictate play, although I am backing the Gunners to come through with a win.
Prediction: Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
Result: Portsmouth 0-2 Arsenal