Portsmouth meet Burnley in a huge Championship clash at opposite ends of the table.
Victory could lift Portsmouth as high as 18th depending on results elsewhere, whilst Burnley can go second with a win if Sheffield United fail to win at Derby.
Team News
Jordan Williams is a doubt for Portsmouth after a hamstring injury forced him to sit out their midweek defeat to Millwall.
Rob Atkinson could return after he missed that game due to illness.
Regan Poole (hamstring), Mark O’Mahony (muscle), Ibane Bowat, Kusini Yengi, Paddy Lane and Jacob Farrell (all knee) remain sidelined.
Burnley could have new signing, Jonjo Shelvey available if he can prove his match fitness which saw him miss their last two games.
Manuel Benson, Nathan Redmond (both calf), Jordan Beyer and Aaron Ramsey (both knee) are still ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Portsmouth host Burnley at Fratton Park on Saturday 1 February at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Portsmouth have won one of their last five meetings against Burnley (W1, D1, L3).
- Burnley have won two of their last seven trips to Portsmouth (W2, D1, L4).
- Portsmouth have scored in each of their nine home games against Burnley.
- Callum Lang has been involved in more league goals than any other Portsmouth player this season, having produced 10 goals and two assists in 25 appearances.
- Burnley have conceded just one goal in their last eight away matches in the league (W6, D2).
Prediction
Having lacked a clinical final touch against Millwall despite periods of excellent attacking game management, Portsmouth now need to bring a more polished edge if want any chance of a result in a game where they need to be at their defensive best.
Burnley however will be eager to return to winning ways after a scrappy goalless draw against Leeds which lacked any proper quality in terms of end product and attacking play, so I do expect them to come out fighting in a manner akin to their last away outing which saw them batter Plymouth heavily in the first half.
Portsmouth though have found their feet at home so this won’t be easy but Burnley should be capable of grinding out a win and clean sheet.
Prediction: Portsmouth 0-2 Burnley
Result: Portsmouth 0-0 Burnley
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