Portsmouth vs Exeter Preview

Last updated : 28 September 2015 By Jim Bonner

Pompey take on inconsistent Exeter at Fratton Park looking to win their sixth game of what would be a ten game unbeaten streak in League Two.

Team News

Adam McGurk faces a month on the sidelines after injuring his ankle prior to Saturday's win at Bristol Rovers so Jayden Stockley should continue up front in his absence. Michael Doyle is available after his suspension and should come back into the side whilst Gary Roberts is also pushing to start after making a difference when he came on at the Memorial Stadium.

Jamie McAllister and Ryan Harley could return for Exeter after missing the last two games through injury with both Will Hoskins and Matt Oakley ready to start tomorrow's match after recovering from recent setbacks.

The Match

On paper, tomorrow evening's game looks like one that Pompey should win to maintain their unbeaten season and their position at the top of League Two.

The visitors have lost their last two games to Accrington Stanley and Wycombe but did win their previous three matches before that which included a 2-0 win over Pompey's third-string side in the Paint Trophy. They're the model of inconsistency but are capable of beating the best teams so there is no room for slack play tomorrow.

Doyle is bound to come back into the side, probably at the expense of Danny Hollands as Cook seems to like having Adam Barton in the centre to distribute the ball.

With Roberts back at full fitness he is likely to return to the starting line-up too although who he replaces will be more of a conundrum. Kyle Bennett was a threat on Saturday and Gareth Evans scored whilst Conor Chaplin was far from his best and may be rested. Who knows? Trying to second-guess Cook is a difficult task.

The match itself should be a good one as Paul Tisdale's side are known for playing free-flowing football rather than a physical long-ball game although that may play into Pompey's hands because of the way Paul Cook's men can break teams down when they're allowed time and space.

Both teams also tend to be vulnerable on the break so this should be an exciting game with plenty of chances for both teams, so let's hope that Pompey take more of them.

A ten game unbeaten run with 22 points taken from a possible 30 would be an excellent return, but the pessimist inside me thinks that might be too good to be true...

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Pompey

GK: Aaron McCAREY

RB: Ben DAVIES

CB: Christian BURGESS

CB: Matt CLARKE

LB: Enda STEVENS

DM: Michael DOYLE

DM: Adam BARTON

RM: Kyle BENNETT

AM: Gary ROBERTS

LM: Gareth EVANS

CF: Jayden STOCKLEY

Exeter

GK: Bobby OLEJNIK

RB: Christian RIBIERO

CB: Troy BROWN

CB: Jordan MOORE-TAYLOR

LB: Jamie McALLISTER

CM: Manny OYELEKE

CM: David NOBLE

CM: Ryan HARLEY

RWF: David WHEELER

LWF: Lee HOLMES

CF: Tom NICHOLS

Last Time: Portsmouth 1 Exeter City 0 (League Two - 14/02/2015)

Jed Wallace missed a penalty in this game but managed to redeem himself with a magnificent solo goal deep into stoppage time to secure all three points for Pompey who took a significant step to safety from relegation.

My Prediction

Whilst I say that this is a game we should win on paper and there will be goals at both ends, I just have a horrible feeling about this match for no reason at all...

Portsmouth 0 Exeter City 1