Pompey take on Northampton Town at Fratton Park for the second time this season looking to progress in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Team News
Jack Whatmough is out with a hamstring injury but Ben Chorley still hasn't recovered in time to play. Dan Butler could return to the side whilst the likes of Nick Awford and Ben Close could be given starts.
Striker Alex Nicholls will start for Northampton after he was recalled early from Exeter. Daniel Alfei will miss out on the match with injury whilst Gregor Robertson is banned after his red card at Wycombe on Saturday.
The Match
Pompey's 2-0 win over Northampton back in the league was arguably their only excellent performance of the season for an entire match. The Cobblers weren't particularly bad in that match but Andy Awford's men were convincing winners on the night and it looked like they would continue their good form.
Fast-forward to the present day and Pompey can't hit a barn door and Chris Wilder's men are now above Pompey in the League Two table going into this match. Both managers are expected to field weakened sides and possibly experiment with system changes, too.
As for the competition itself, Awford may be playing it up but it's a lot of games to win to have the day out at Wembley and the league is obviously a priority. Therefore it would be good to see just how the likes of Close, Awford Jr. and possibly the likes of Bradley Tarbuck too.
And would it kill not to start Miles Storey for a change? He could well be the answer to Pompey's goalscoring problems. If not he, then what about David Connolly who is currently sitting on his arse doing nothing but train?
Hopefully we'll see someone in a blue shirt score tomorrow....please?
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Paul JONES
RWB: Alex WYNTER
CB: Paul ROBINSON
CB: Johnny ERTL
CB: Joe DEVERA
LWB: Dan BUTLER
CM: Nigel ATANGANA
CM: James DUNNE
CM: Nick AWFORD
CF: Patrick AGYEMANG
CF: Michael DRENNAN
Northampton
GK: Matt DUKE
RB: Ben TOZER
CB: Kelvin LANGMEAD
CB: Lee COLLINS
LB: Ben JACKSON
RM: Chris HACKETT
CM: John-Joe O'TOOLE
CM: Darren CARTER
LM: Kaid MOHAMED
CF: Alex NICHOLL
CF: Ivan TONEY
Last Time: Portsmouth 2 Northampton Town 0 (League Two - 19/08/2014)
Jed Wallace and Craig Westcarr scored in this one as dominant Pompey eased to a win over the Cobblers.
My Prediction
It'll probably be goalless again, won't it? Pompey to sneak through on penalties given the lack of extra time in the JPT.
Portsmouth 0 Northampton Town 0 (Pompey to win on penalties)