Pompey vs Doncaster

Pompey travel to table-topper Doncaster this afternoon after suffering a midweek defeat to Leyton Orient, against Pompey's run of form. The hosts have been winning everywhere over the last 10 games and the arrival of Pompey, who sit 23rd out of 24 won't have their nerves to all over the flutter. However, after another strong performance ending in a loss on Tuesday night, Pompey are sure to come back looking for 3 points- Doncaster of whom took them from us last time round.

Pompey's teenage starlets Adam Webster and Jed Wallace, both of whom came through the academy have been put on standby for a England U19 call up. Well, Webster has actually been included in the squad to face Turkey next week but Wallace is still in with a shout if someone pulls out. Pompey have produced a few players over recent years that have attracted interest from Premier League clubs in particular, the likes of: Wallace, Webster and Dan Butler have caught the eyes of some top clubs and are a credit to the academy system. Ashley Harris and highly-rated 18-year-old Alex Grant are also sure have a few other clubs keeping track of their progress but for now, they remain true to Pompey and are likely to be with us next season given the PST takes charge and puts us in a stable financial condition.

Doncaster have to cope without Paul Keegan, David Syers, Martin Woods and Jamie McCombe heading into this fixture after they suffered thigh, ankle, calf and fractured bone injuries (in that order). However Rovers hope to see Paul Quinn return to the starting XI after the full back suffered a knock that saw him watch from the stands against Bournemouth and would likely have been if Doncaster's midweek clash against Carlisle went ahead. 'Keeper Gary Woods is still a doubt after being sidelined by a thigh injury and he isn't expected to make the squad today. Kyle Bennett is also unlikely to play following a knee injury but the loan signing of Oldham skipper Dean Furman could see him put straight into the squad.

Ex-Pompey winger David Cotterill is in contention to be Doncaster's player of the season following the 10 goals and 18 assists he has. The winger was an average performer in a Blues kit but he seems to have found somewhere he is thriving and his stats show just that. Pompey full-backs Yassin Moutaouakil and Dan Butler will needs to keep tabs on him throughout the game to ensure he doesn't wreak havoc with Pompey's goal.

Pompey are likely to name an unchanged side again. It's been a very long time since they set up with the same team, 4 games in a row but Whittingham and Awford are likely to do just that. There is no injury news surrounding Pompey, only that John Akinde could miss out again following a sickness bug.

Agyemang has been instrumental upfront over the course of the last 6-7 games along side David Connolly. The experienced strike force have taken well to their partnership resulting in big-man Agyemang assists and little-guy Connolly goals. The pairing are proving deadly in front of goal as of late and could be the difference in the underdog challenge Pompey take on.

There has been just 15 meetings between the two sides over the years and Pompey have a very nice record against Rovers. 10 wins and only 3 losses sees Pompey boast a nice record against their opponents but on the balance of play through this season, Doncaster have the upper hand. Rovers beat Pompey 0-1 at Fratton Park back in November, getting revenge after the Blues sent them down on the second-to-last day of the season last year in a dramatic 4-3 win that was very fortunate for the Blues after Dave Kitson handballed his way to a last minute winner in a topsy-turvy game that saw both teams take the lead and have themselves pegged back. Pompey also turned that fixture around in injury time with two late, late goals.

Probably not a good one.

1-2 as an upset is more than capable for a Blues side which in my opinion, given we had all season with financial worries sorted and Whitt and Awford in charge, could of been a very strong, mid-table/promotion pushing side. Saying this leads me to think that now they have found their form, could cause a major upset over Championship chasers Rovers.

Coventry City come to Fratton Park looking to cause an upset after the Blues snatched a last gasp equaliser against them back in November. City sit in 9th, trying to keep a very faint promotion fight alive. This will be Pompey's second match in a row against the two sides that went down with them last season, both of whom sit much comfier in the table despite suffering big setbacks last season and Coventry's financial worries.

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Spain