Portsmouth host Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, looking to edge closer to securing promotion back to the Championship.
The Blues are now tantalising close to ending their 12-year stint away from the second tier, although nothing can be confirmed against Paul Hurst’s side.
A win on Saturday will give the Blues a chance to secure promotion against Bolton Wanderers next Saturday, a prospect Pompey fans are dreaming of.
John Mousinho’s men registered another point on Tuesday as Derby County battled towards a deserved 2-2 draw.
With injury concerns easing, here’s how Portsmouth FC News envisages the home side lining up on Saturday with two changes in the offing.
Portsmouth predicted XI v Shrewsbury Town
Will Norris, Joe Rafferty, Sean Raggett, Connor Shaughnessy and Connor Ogilvie will make up Mousinho’s backline.
Ogilvie endured a tough evening against Derby, but due to Pompey’s remarkable record with him in the starting XI, the left-back will start ahead of Jack Sparkes.
In midfield, Lee Evans could be given another start after an impressive performance against the Rams. The 29-year-old was always earmarked to feature in such an important fixture and formed a tidy partnership with Marlon Pack.
Pack, who was nominated for League One Player of the Season, will be Evans’ midfield partner.
The first change could occur in attacking midfield. Paddy Lane was jaded in midweek, resulting in the Northern Irishman being substituted midway through the second half. Tino Anjorin, who has recently returned from injury, could be gifted his first start of 2024.
It’s clear Mousinho is a big fan of the Chelsea loanee and wants to use his evident ability between now and the end of the season. Christian Saydee and Abu Kamara should make up the remainder of Pompey’s rearguard behind the striker. The game will come too soon for Callum Lang.
READ MORE: Here’s Andrew Moon’s view on Norwich City’s stance on Abu Kamara.
The final change could see Kusini Yengi come in for Colby Bishop.
Bishop has started the Blues’ last three games and could be due a rest ahead of Bolton, a fixture he’s almost certain to start. Yengi has proven himself a more than capable deputy and will relish the chance to take advantage of Shrewsbury’s lowly league position.