Pompey go to Bury for their final away game of the season looking for a sixth win in a row and without worries of relegation.
Team News
Bury have given Trevor Carson permission to play against his parent club as they're safe from relegation. Rhys McCabe has been recalled by Sheffield Wednesday but Ben Chorley is available again after his wife gave birth during the weekend.
Andy Awford has promised to field his strongest side available for this game but Bury boss David Flitcroft may give some of his fringe players an opportunity. Daniel Nardiello is banned after being sent off at York and Barnsley have recalled fellow striker Danny Rose.
The Match
A month ago both Pompey and Bury fans would have looked at this fixture thinking that it would be a key relegation decider. However, the recovery both clubs have made has been remarkable and this is now a game with nothing resting on it for all the right reasons. No relegation parties this year!
It'll be interesting to see what Andy Awford means by "strongest team possible" after making so many changes at Northampton. You would expect Chorley to come into the side if only for the (still temporary) manager to run the rule over him. Who knows who else may be included?
A win here would equal Pompey's best run since Steve Cotterill's Pompey side won six in a row in the 2010/2011 season before being beaten by Reading to end any lingering play-off hopes. Whilst there are no play-off hopes this year, Portsmouth could still finish as high as 8th if they win their last two games and results go their way. Not too shabby for a team that was heavily tipped for relegation four weeks ago.
Whilst this may be your standard end of season fare, there is no reason why Pompey can't beat a team missing their two best strikers this season. Another victory would surely force Iain McInnes and co. to give Awford the job full time and I'm sure the players will realise this too.
On a final note, a huge congratulations goes out to all those who are riding to Bury for the match tomorrow in aid of Brain Tumour Research as they have just under 30 miles to go.
You can donate at http://ride2bury.co.uk/
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Bury
GK: Brian JENSEN
RB: Pablo MILLS
CB: James McNULTY
CB: Craig JONES
LB: Chris SEDGWICK
RM: Andrew TUTTE
CM: Chris HUSSEY
CM: Danny MAYOR
LM: Tom SOARES
CF: Clive PLATT
CF: Hallam HOPE
Pompey
GK: Trevor CARSON
RB: Adam WEBSTER
CB: Ben CHORLEY
CB: Jack WHATMOUGH
LB: Nicky SHOREY
DM: Danny HOLLANDS
DM: Johnny ERTL
RM: Jed WALLACE
CM: Wes FOGDEN
LM: Ricky HOLMES
CF: Ryan TAYLOR
Last Time: Bury 2 Portsmouth 0 (League One - 10/11/2012)
Michael Appleton's departure to Blackpool meant Guy Whittingham began his second spell in charge of Pompey at Gigg Lane. It didn't begin well as Adam Lockwood's first half strike and Steven Schumacher's penalty after the break meant a losing start for Whittingham. Trevor Carson had very little to do that day, let's hope for the same again tomorrow!
My Prediction
It may well be the end of the season but the momentum is with Pompey and the players will hopefully want to impress against a Bury side which isn't at full strength.
Bury 1 Portsmouth 2