Yeovil vs Portsmouth Preview

Last updated : 29 December 2016 By Jim Bonner

Pompey travel to Huish Park for their final match of the year as they look to extend their unbeaten run on the road to eight games.

Team News

Paul Cook has confirmed Gary Roberts will again play no part in tomorrow's match having not been included in the squad for the 3-2 win at Newport. The Pompey manager may well stick with the same 4-4-2 formation as well as the same players who started in Wales.

Glovers midfielder Ryan Hedges is set to miss tomorrow's match after limping off against Exeter whilst captain Darren Ward is sidelined with a knee injury.

The Match

Fifty minutes into Boxing Day's match at Newport saw Paul Cook's future called into question by many. Thankfully, despite the woeful pitch, a missed penalty, two more penalty shouts that weren't given and two shots cleared off the line, his players showed the character to come back and win 3-2.

That result may well have silenced some of the doubters but tomorrow's test poses a different problem as although Huish Park presents a better playing surface, Yeovil are a solid side that aren't bottom of the league.

Having said that, the Glovers haven't won in three games and seem to be a team destined for mid-table mediocrity come the business end of the season. A team that boasts a record of five wins and two draws from its last seven away matches should be looking to win fixtures like this ahead of the weekend when Pompey's promotion rivals play.

The defending will have to improve, especially seeing as David Forde made yet another mistake for Newport's second goal on Boxing Day. Cook has hinted he will revert back to his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation to give his back four more protection.

If he does so, Michael Smith may find himself on the bench as Noel Hunt performed admirably at Rodney Parade and may have earned himself a starting berth.

Pompey will certainly need to take the chances that come their way tomorrow as Yeovil don't tend to give many away. However, despite playing a 4-3-3 formation they don't score many goals, either.

In all honesty, a draw wouldn't be the worst result in the world but it would put more pressure on the players to beat Luton and Doncaster in the following two fixtures.

Three points, though, would ensure that Pompey fans have plentiful reason to celebrate New Year's Eve.

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Yeovil

GK: Artur KRYSIAK

RB: Liam SHEPHARD

CB: Alex LACEY

CB: Nathan SMITH

LB: Ryan DICKSON

CM: Kevin DAWSON

CM: Alex LAWLESS

CM: Ben WHITFIELD

RWF: Otis KHAN

LWF: Francois ZOKO

CF: Tom EAVES

Pompey

GK: David FORDE

RB: Gareth EVANS

CB: Christian BURGESS

CB: Matt CLARKE

LB: Enda STEVENS

DM: Michael DOYLE

DM: Danny ROSE

RM: Kyle BENNETT

AM: Carl BAKER

LM: Kal NAISMITH

CF: Michael SMITH

Last Time: Yeovil Town 1 Portsmouth 1 (League Two - 20/02/2016)

The hosts took the lead after 75 minutes as Francois Zoko scored from close range following a scramble in the box and it looked like Pompey would leave empty-handed when Christian Burgess was sent off for two yellow cards in the space of a minute.

However, Gary Roberts' volley soon after gave Paul Cook's men a share of the spoils on a cold February afternoon.

My Prediction

The Glovers will be tough opposition but I'm backing Pompey to edge this one due to their superior quality up front.

Yeovil Town 1 Portsmouth 2