Pompey will be looking to at least extend their unbeaten run of three matches when they host Exeter City at Fratton Park tomorrow.
Team News
Andy Awford could well name an unchanged side for the third game running with Paul McCallum still banned, although he may opt to make one or two attacking changes due to the lack of goals his team have been scoring recently.
Paul Tisdale will be hoping that captain Scot Bennett and fellow midfielder David Noble will be available after injuries.
The Match
Andy Awford's job security may be greater after his team have gone three matches without conceding, however, people go to football matches to be entertained and the record of just one goal scored in those three games is not so welcome.
Tuesday night's draw at Dagenham was a welcome point in the battle against relegation from League Two which is far from over but goals win games and Pompey never looked like scoring against the Daggers in what was a tediously boring encounter.
Whilst it would be good to see Awford make one or two changes to the attacking personnel in his side. Jed Wallace could perhaps do with a rest as his performances have lulled recently whilst Craig Westcarr is far more likely to grab a goal than shot-shy Ryan Taylor. Or why not even start Conor Chaplin just for the unknown quantity in the side?
It's unlikely that any of those changes are going to be made by the manager now that his team are looking hard to beat, which is the first staple of any team looking to win a relegation battle even if it's at the expense of entertainment.
One factor that may make this game more watchable is that Exeter score and concede goals regularly, having found the net nine times in the last five matches but let in the same amount of goals in those games too.
Liam Sercombe is definitely the one to watch in this Exeter team. He was supposedly a transfer target for Pompey but is capable of playing at a higher level than League Two due to his creative eye and the goals he can score from midfield.
The Grecians may be only three points off the play-off places but have only won one of their last nine games mainly due to a brittle defence. Paul Tisdale's men certainly don't give up, though, having come from two down to draw at Cambridge last time and at Fratton Park last season when Pompey hung on for a 3-2 win despite being three goals up with fifteen minutes to go.
Another entertaining match like that would be welcome, but unless Pompey actually find some creative spark in their play tomorrow then this could be another bore draw.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Paul JONES
RWB: Josh PASSLEY
CB: Joe DEVERA
CB: Jack WHATMOUGH
CB: Paul ROBINSON
LWB: Dan BUTLER
CM: James DUNNE
CM: Danny HOLLANDS
CM: Jed WALLACE
CF: Ryan TAYLOR
CF: Matt TUBBS
Exeter
GK: Christy PYM
RB: Aaron DAVIES
CB: Matt OAKLEY
CB: Jordan MOORE-TAYLOR
LB: Craig WOODMAN
DM: Jamie McCALLISTER
DM: Danny BUTTERFIELD
RM: Liam SERCOMBE
CM: Ryan HARLEY
LM: Alex NICHOLLS
CF: Tom NICHOLS
Last Time: Portsmouth 3 Exeter City 2 (League Two - 02/11/2013)
Ricky Holmes scored a fluke goal just before the break with the wind taking a cross beyond keeper Artur Krysiak and then two headers from Ryan Bird looked to have sewn the game up on 71 minutes.
But Danny Coles' header four minutes later and another goal from John O'Flynn soon after had Pompey fans panicking and Trevor Carson produced a great save at the death to deny Tom Nichols and preserve all three points for Guy Whittingham's team.
My Prediction
If the last few games are to go by then this is going to be a dull affair, but Pompey could nick the win as Exeter's defence isn't very strong whilst Pompey's has improved greatly and there's enough up front to nick the single goal.
Portsmouth 1 Exeter City 0