Ten games separate John Mousinho’s Portsmouth and a return to the Championship.
Saturday’s 2-1 win over Oxford United maintained the Blues’ seven-point gap over Derby County and Bolton Wanderers. The latter are set to play Barnsley on Tuesday evening with The Tykes in red-hot form.
Up next for Pompey is a tough-looking trip to Bloomfield Road to face a Blackpool side who sit just outside the playoff places.
The Blues have a torrid recent record against The Seasiders, losing their last three matches. Pompey’s last win at Bloomfield Road came in August 2018, over five-and-a-half years ago.
Peterborough, Barnsley and Bolton are also to come in what is shaping up to be a tricky end of the season.
The home clash against Barnsley on 23 March would usually be postponed due to international call-ups.
However, Portsmouth’s injury issues could see the fixture go ahead and, in turn, see Barnsley’s star man miss out.
Devante Cole could miss Portsmouth v Barnsley
The Portsmouth News’ Neil Allen has suggested that the “crucial” clash against the Tykes is likely to go ahead despite the threat of international call-ups.
Mousinho is likely to be without Kusini Yengi and Paddy Lane for the Fratton Park fixture.
Yengi has been lively when given a chance but has predominantly played back-up to Colby Bishop during the majority of the season. Lane will be a significant miss, having netted 11 times. Nevertheless, the Blues should be able to cope as they have many times this season.
Barnsley, on the other hand, face a reasonably significant blow. EFL rules dictate that a game isn’t allowed to be postponed unless three players receive international call-ups.
League One’s top-scorer Devante Cole, along with midfielder Jon Russell, have been provisionally called up to Jamaica’s 60-man CONCACAF Nations League squad.
Cole, who has 17 league goals, was called up for the first time in November.
If the 28-year-old is missing, it will be a significant boost for Pompey. Barnsley have been free-scoring this season and have managed to get the best out of the former Burton Albion forward.
Yet, the Tykes have conceded their fair share of goals, and the Blues will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet. Without Cole, a significant part of Barnsley’s firepower has been removed.
Pompey fans would be wise to keep an eye on Jamaica’s squad over the upcoming week.