Pompey will be looking for their first win in three games when promotion chasing Luton Town visit Fratton Park tomorrow.
Team News
Josh Passley is doubtful as he has a tight hamstring which means Danny East could return to the side after being recalled from Aldershot. Ben Chorley is available again after serving his suspension last weekend.
Former Pompey stiker Paul Benson could return to the Hatters' line-up after a four month spell out injured with a broken leg. Winger Ryan Hall is back after an illness but Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu is out with a hamstring problem.
The Match
A run of only two points from three games has effectively killed Pompey's season with the play-offs a distant ten points away and relegation extremely unlikely and thus, mid-table beckons for Andy Awford's men after yet another disappointing campaign.
The only thing Awford has to aim for now is his own job security as a poor end to the season may make the board think twice about giving him next year to earn promotion when there are absolutely no excuses for under-performing.
Looking at the situation from another point of view, the pressure is off and therefore Pompey fans could well enjoy tomorrow's match knowing that there is little to play for. After all, some may view a humdrum end to the season as a better alternative to an end which offers false hope of promotion only for the team to fall heartbreakingly short.
With that in mind, Awford should be looking to the future and therefore should be giving Danny East a game regardless of Josh Passley's fitness. The Fulham loanee isn't going to be at Fratton Park next season, whilst East has a contract to play for as he's a free agent come the summer.
Also, it could be a good idea to give Conor Chaplin a run out for more than just a few minutes at the end of a match to see just how he has progressed recently and if he can cut it at league level yet.
Whilst he's at it, Jed Wallace's performances haven't been brilliant lately and he might benefit from some respite. So, why not hand Wes Fogden his first start of the season and see what difference he can make to the midfield.
As for Luton, they're sitting pretty in fifth place in League Two but their recent form is poor with four defeats in their last five games and no win on the road since a 1-0 victory at Plymouth in January. They'll be sure to raise their game at Fratton Park, though, given the amount of supporters they'll have in the Milton End.
Players to watch for the Hatters will be Mark Cullen who was impressive in the reverse fixture and has eleven league goals to his name whilst "big" Steve McNulty will be almost impossible to miss given his sizable frame, but don't let that fool you into thinking he's a donkey.
A good result is required tomorrow not necessarily for Pompey's prospects this season but simply so the fans stay on Andy Awford's side going into the final ten matches of the campaign. It'll probably be draw, though.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Paul JONES
RWB: Josh PASSLEY
CB: Jack WHATMOUGH
CB: Paul ROBINSON
CB: Joe DEVERA
LWB: Dan BUTLER
CM: Danny HOLLANDS
CM: James DUNNE
CM: Jed WALLACE
CF: Ryan TAYLOR
CF: Matt TUBBS
Luton
GK: Elliot JUSTHAM
RB: Michael HARRIMAN
CB: Steve McNULTY
CB: Luke WILKINSON
LB: Scott GRIFFITHS
RM: Shaun WHALLEY
CM: Jonathan SMITH
CM: Luke ROONEY
LM: Jake HOWELLS
CF: Luke GUTTRIDGE
CF: Mark CULLEN
Last Time: Portsmouth 4 Luton Town 0 (Division One - 16/12/1995)
A brace from Paul Hall and a goal each for Paul Walsh and Jimmy Carter saw Terry Fenwick's team breeze past the Hatters.
My Prediction
Pompey are at home and Luton are in poor form. Having said that, Awford's negativity in not wanting to lose games recently suggests that a draw is the most likely result.
Portsmouth 1 Luton Town 1