Steve Lovell's men looking to get back to winning ways.
PORTSMOUTH v GILLINGHAM
FRATTON PARK
SKY BET LEAGUE ONE
SATURDAY MARCH 10
KICK-OFF, 3PM
Team News:
Both Connor Ogilvie and Bradley Garmston will require late fitness checks due to suffering with sickness bugs during the week.
Callum Reilly will return to the squad after being ineligible to play against parent club Bury. Alex Lacey is still pushing towards full fitness but Saturday will likely be too soon for him. Billy Bingham and Aaron Morris are both still out through long-term injuries.
Portsmouth will be without captain and top scorer Brett Pitman as he is not yet match fit. Pompey will also be without midfielders Gareth Evans and Stuart O’Keefe who are still recovering from injuries.
Kenny Jackett’s side will also be without Nathan Thompson who has two games left of his suspension.
Manager Comments:
Steve Lovell - “Portsmouth are well organised, they are well supported but we need to make sure we take the game to them and be positive.
“We will approach the game in the same way. We’ve had seven wins away from home so it will be nice to make it eight.”
Kenny Jackett - “The first period of the season saw them in and around the relegation places, but they’ve been on a great run, even though they lost to Bury in their last game.
“I’m sure they’ll also be looking for that big finish in order to chase a play-off place, so we’ve analysed their strengths and weaknesses.
“But our focus is more on what we do and we’re determined to put things right to return to winning ways.”
Previous Meetings:
When the two teams played at Priestfield earlier in the season, it was Pompey who were victorious. The game ended 1-0 as Matty Kennedy’s early second half goal proved to be the winner.
The last time Gillingham visited Fratton Park was in the FA Cup during the 2004/05 season, as Portsmouth won 1-0 thanks to a goal from ex-Nigeria international Yakubu.
The sides have met on 31 occasions with the Gills only winning six times, Saturday’s opponents have the better of the record winning 18 games. Seven of the games have ended in a draw.
Gillingham have never won at Fratton Park.
Odds:
Portsmouth Win - 17/20
Draw - 5/2
Gillingham win - 10/3
Special bet: Josh Parker to score first, Gillingham to win 2-1- 66/1
For more odds and markets visit; www.skybet.com/fl72
Match Officials:
Referee - Carl Boyeson
Assistant Referee 1- Matt Eva
Assistant Referee 2- John Farries
Fourth Official - Mark Pottage