Pompey will be looking to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in League Two.
Team News
Jack Whatmough is available for selection again after returning from international duty whilst Ben Chorley has also recovered from a dead leg. Nigel Atangana will be assessed ahead of the match having missed the Burton match on Sunday.
Southend full back Ben Coker injured his elbow this week and will be out untl the new year. Phil Brown has brought in Crystal Palace defender Jerome Binnom-Williams on loan to replace him. Conor Clifford could play against his former club having spent some time at Pompey on loan from Chelsea two seasons ago.
The Match
This game is a big test of character and ability for Andy Awford's men who have struggled to deal with the physical nature of the last two matches. Southend will be a different proposition, however, as they are a side that like to get the ball down and play a bit more.
The Shrimpers have stuttered in League Two this season having picked up 8 points from 6 games and haven't tasted victory since August 16th. They'll still fancy their chances tomorrow knowing that Pompey have lost their last two matches without scoring so this is a big game for both clubs who have aspirations of promotion this season.
The defeat at Burton on Sunday wasn't due to a terrible performance but there are some players who need to up their game. Danny Hollands in particular is one player who hasn't performed to the same standards as last season whilst Ryan Taylor is another who has made a minimal impact in recent matches and now has a fit-again Patrick Agyemang to challenge him for his lone striker role.
Andy Awford also needs to find a formation and a team selection that works. Whilst he is saying in his press conferences that he is still finding his "winning formula" that's no good if the tinkering doesn't stop soon with Pompey continuing to drop points in the process.
What system will he play tomorrow? It was a 4-2-3-1 at Burton but we've seen 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 already this season. It's anyone's guess as to what formation he will go with but it looks likely that Whatmough will be back in the fold after missing the last few matches and his presence will be welcome in a back three (or four, or five) which looked static at times last Sunday.
Whilst Southend are probably a better side than their early league position suggests it's imperative that Pompey pick up a result at Roots Hall tomorrow. The mood amongst fickle football fans can change very quickly and a third straight league defeat will have the critics sharpening their knives already.
However, the last two defeats weren't because Pompey were playing terribly and the team Awford selects should be capable of performing and getting a result to get their season back on track.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Southend
GK: Daniel BENTLEY
RB: John WHITE
CB: Luke PROSSER
CB: Mads IBENFELDT
LB: Jerome BINNOM-WILLIAMS
DM: Conor CLIFFORD
DM: Ryan LEONARD
RM: David WORRAL
AM: Jack PAYNE
LM: Myles WESTON
CF: Barry CORR
Pompey
GK: Paul JONES
RWB: Alex WYNTER
CB: Jack WHATMOUGH
CB: Ben CHORLEY
CB: Paul ROBINSON
LWB: Nicky SHOREY
CM: James DUNNE
CM: Danny HOLLANDS
CM: Jed WALLACE
CF: Ryan TAYLOR
CF: Miles STOREY
Last Time: Southend United 2 Portsmouth 1 (League Two - 01/01/2014)
Richie Barker's Pompey took the lead after Sonny Bradley slotted home and his team dominated the first half before conceding to a deflected Ryan Leonard strike right before half-time. Pompey continued to play well in the second half and just when a well deserved draw looked on the cards, Leonard struck a screamer from distance in stoppage time to break the hearts of the travelling fans on New Year's Day.
My Prediction
It's a tough one to call as both teams have stuttered recently and will want to go all out for the win. It should be a good match and will most likely end all square.
Southend United 1 Portsmouth 1