Portsmouth face Blackpool on Saturday, looking to land their first win over The Seasiders in six years.
Ronan Curtis’ brace in August 2018 saw Kenny Jackett’s side secure a 2-1 win in an electric start to the 2018/19 campaign.
Since then, the Blues have endured a torrid time against Neil Critchley’s side. Blackpool were the first side to beat John Mousinho’s side this season.
The 4-0 Fratton Park thrashing was arguably the most impressive performance against Pompey this season and is a stern reminder of the test facing Mousinho’s men on Saturday.
Portsmouth FC News has looked at how the Blues could line up ahead of the fixture.
Portsmouth predicted line up v Blackpool
Pompey’s lineup could look slightly different from the one that took the field against Oxford United last time out, with potentially two changes made.
Mousinho’s backline has been settled recently, with Will Norris, Connor Ogilvie, Sean Raggett, Conor Shaughnessy, and Joe Rafferty forming a solid defensive unit. Given Blackpool’s threats, Karamoko Dembele, Kyle Joseph and Jordan Rhodes, to name a few, Pompey’s defence will have to be at the peak of their powers.
The first of our predicted changes comes in midfield. New signing Lee Evans isn’t set to feature until the Peterborough fixture on 16 March. Mousinho also talks about deploying Zak Swanson in a midfield role, but that feels an unlikely ploy against one of the league’s best home records. Therefore, Myles Peart-Harris or Owen Moxon will almost certainly partner Marlon Pack in the centre of the park.
Peart-Harris showed some good moments going forward against the U’s but was caught out defensively and culpable in the build-up to Oxford’s equaliser. Considering the nature of the opposition, Moxon returning to the starting XI is undoubtedly on the cards. The 26-year-old’s performances have improved since his January move from Carlisle, and he could add a more robust edge to Pompey’s midfield.
The three positions behind the striker are pretty much set in stone. Paddy Lane, Abu Kamara and Callum Lang should all keep their places. One other potential change could see Kusini Yengi replace Colby Bishop. Pompey’s top scorer has been superb lately, but Mousinho hasn’t been shy of rotating things in the past.
Bishop has been immense, but when two quality strikers are available, rotating and keeping everyone fresh could be a smart idea from the Pompey boss.