After two successful away trips, Pompey return to Fratton Park for the first of two successive home matches.
Team News
Paul Cook is likely to stick with the same side that beat Newport on Saturday with Gareth Evans serving the second of his three-match-ban.
Steven Schumacher is banned for Stevenage whilst another midfielder in Chris Whelpdale is likely to miss out after limping off during the 2-1 win over Wycombe. Former Leeds and Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge signed for Teddy Sheringham's men today and could feature.
The Match
Having taken 17 points from a possible 21 away from home, it's time for Pompey to improve on their mediocre home record which has yielded just two league wins so far.
Teddy Sheringham will undoubtedly receive a warm reception when he returns to the ground where he played in Pompey's first Premier League season twelve years ago but a player of his intelligence will surely have analysed how Yeovil, Exeter, Accrington and Morecambe have all taken points from his old stomping ground.
Therefore you can expect Stevenage to attempt to "park the bus" and possibly show some adventure on the counter-attack. They did beat high-flying Wycombe thanks to a goal from goalkeeper Jesse Joronen but the Hertfordshire side are yet to win on the road this season, therefore a draw would be a disappointing result tomorrow evening.
That means the attacking players have to produce the goods but thankfully Matt Tubbs has scored three goals in two games, Kyle Bennett is returning to form and Gary Roberts will always be a threat. There are plenty of reasons for Pompey fans to be optimistic about getting the all-important victory tomorrow night.
So hopefully Cook can find that winning formula for home games and see his team really push on during the next week.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Aaron McCAREY
RB: Ben DAVIES
CB: Christian BURGESS
CB: Adam WEBSTER
LB: Enda STEVENS
DM: Michael DOYLE
DM: Adam BARTON
RM: Kal NAISMITH
AM: Gary ROBERTS
LM: Kyle BENNETT
CF: Matt TUBBS
Stevenage
GK: Jesse JORONEN
RB: Fraser FRANKS
CB: Mark HUGHES
CB: Dean WELLS
LB: Jerome OKIMO
RM: Tom PETT
CM: Dean PARRETT
CM: Michael TONGE
LM: Tom CONLON
CF: Ben KENNEDY
CF: Armand GNANDULLIET
Last Time: Portsmouth 3 Stevenage 2 (League Two - 21/10/2014)
Pompey fell behind when Dean Wells scored from a corner but Jed Wallace equalised with a deflected strike. Miles Storey then blasted the ball home to give Pompey the lead only for a weak back-header by Joe Devera to be seized upon by Chris Whelpdale who equalised.
However, Devera turned from zero to hero as he volleyed in the eventual winner five minutes later to secure a precious three points for Andy Awford's men.
My Prediction
An improvement in Pompey's recent attacking play suggests that they should win this game. Undoubtedly it will be uncomfortable, though.
Portsmouth 2 Stevenage 1