Pompey go to Deepdale tomorrow for a later kick off in hopes of continuing their impressive run of form.
Team News
Simon Grayson will be hoping striker Stuart Beavon is fit to play after he was injured in Preston's last match against Leyton Orient. John Welsh could also miss the match due to an achilles injury.
Guy Whittingham may restore Dan Butler to his side after he was rested on Saturday but Shaun Cooper will want to keep his place following Pompey's latest win over Coventry.
The Match
In honesty, this is a bit of a nothing game for both sides. Preston are in no danger of relegation since Graham Westley was replaced with Simon Grayson. The former Leeds and Huddersfield manager has made his new team compact difficult to beat since his arrival.
Pompey will be relegated at the end of the season but a win at Deepdale will see that tiny piece of hope of avoiding a points deduction for certain next season grow, especially if Oldham and Colchester lose.
This will be a tough match but Pompey's form has been the best it has been all season and so the travelling fans will be confident of a result. Patrick Agyemang has played a big part in Pompey's revival and is sure to be key to getting a result against his former club.
I'd expect Dan Butler to return to the side after being rested on Saturday. Shaun Cooper didn't do well enough to suggest that he should keep his place in the side over the coveted starlet.
Otherwise the same team should be able to perform well and get a result. It's just a shame it probably won't mean as much as it could do.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Preston
GK: Declan RUDD
RB: Keith KEANE
CB: Paul HUNTINGDON
CB: Bailey WRIGHT
LB: David BUCHANAN
RM: Lee HOLMES
CM: John MOUSINHO
CM: Nicky WROE
LM: Will HAYHURST
AM: Jack KING
CF: Joe GARNER
Pompey
GK: Simon EASTWOOD
RB: Yassin MOUTAOUAKIL
CB: Gabor GYEPES
CB: Ricardo ROCHA
LB: Dan BUTLER
RM: Liam WALKER
CM: Therry RACON
CM: Johnny ERTL
LM: Jed WALLACE
CF: Patrick AGYEMANG
CF: David CONNOLLY
Last Time: Preston North End 1 Portsmouth 0 (Championship - 21/08/2010)
Paul Hayes tapped in the only goal of this instantly forgettable game where David Nugent made no headlines on his return to Deepdale and Jamie Ashdown kept the score respectable.
My Prediction
Preston are very difficult to break down and so I have a feeling that this might be a bore draw.
Preston North End 0 Portsmouth 0