Preview of the match Portsmouth – Preston North End – forecast, team news, lineups

Portsmouth will welcome Preston North End on Saturday for an important game at the bottom of the standings Championship table.

With both teams winless in four league matches, the hosts find themselves bottom of the division, with their visitors leading the relegation zone on goal difference alone.

Match Preview

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Portsmouth will return to action on Saturday, aiming to finish bottom of the table and end a four-game winless run.

After winning promotion from England’s third division last time out, they have endured a difficult start to the campaign, picking up just nine points from their first 14 matches with just one win and seven defeats.

That only win came against Queens Park Rangers in mid-October. John MousinhoRussia has failed to build on that since, first suffering back-to-back defeats at Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday before picking up a point in a goalless draw away to Hull City last weekend.

A trip along the south coast to Plymouth Argyll followed on Tuesday, and Pompey left empty-handed. Michael Obafemi scored the only goal of the game eight minutes from time, leaving Mousinho’s men one point off 23rd place and six adrift of safety.

Now back at Fratton Park with the worst home record in the league, having earned just three points from their match, and with no other team in the division conceding as many as their 27 goals at this stage, Portsmouth will be desperate to begin their climb. back to winning ways on Saturday.

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Their visitors will also be looking to wrap up a tough weekend series to ensure they have a cushion over the bottom three.

Through spells under Ryan Lowe and a new boss Paul Heckingbottomtaking over in August, Preston North End took 15 points from their first 14 league games, with only three of those games ending in victories for the Lancashire side.

Two of those triumphs came either side of a commendable goalless draw with rivals Burnley in a satisfying run in October, and although their unbeaten run stretched to five matches with draws against Norwich City and Plymouth Argyle, they have been a start ever since four – a game without victories.

Bristol City visited Deepdale and took all three points in a 3-1 win last weekend, before the Lilywhites most recently hosted league leaders Sunderland on Wednesday and took their share of the spoils as the clash ended goalless .

Preston North End now lead Plymouth Argyle on goal difference in 22nd place, just three points behind the top half and four behind the top nine. form.

Portsmouth Championship Form:

Preston North End Championship Kit:

Preston North End kit (all competitions):

Team news

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Portsmouth may be without their main goalkeeper Will Norris due to injury on Saturday, while Colby Bishop, Paddy Lane, Conor Shaughnessy And Jacob Farrell all are confirmed absentees.

In Norris’ place Nicholas Schmid will continue between the sticks while Tom McIntyre I’ll join the captain again Regan Poole in the middle of the defense.

Marlon’s package should return to midfield after Andre Dozzell And Freddie Potts started against Plymouth while Mark O’Mahony could come back and lead the line with outside support Matt Ritchie, Callum Lang And Josh Murphy.

After Wednesday’s match and the draw with Sunderland, Paul Heckingbottom could start unchanged Preston North End on Saturday, barring a forced change of defender from Liam Lindsay catching a knock.

Most likely he will join Will Keane, Robbie Brady And Patrick Bauer in the treatment room while Milutin Osmayic remains suspended, and Jack Whatmo must login to join Jordan Story And Andrew Hughes in the back three.

Of the midfield trio together Ben Whiteman And Ali McCann, Mads Frokjaer-Jensen will support the two front forces Sam Greenwood And Emil Riis.

Potential Portsmouth starting XI:
Schmid; Williams, Poole, McIntyre, Ogilvy; Potts, Park; Ritchie, Lang, Murphy; O’Mahony

Potential Preston North End starting XI:
Woodman; Storey, Whatmough, Hughes; Potts, Frokjaer-Jensen, Whiteman, McCann, Kesler-Hayden; Riis, Greenwood

We say: Portsmouth 1-2 Preston North End.

With both sides desperate for three points to strengthen their position in the bottom half of the Championship, we’re expecting a tight contest at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Given the hosts’ defensive weaknesses, we’re backing Paul Heckingbottom’s men to end their wait for a fourth win of the season.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scores and more for this match, click here.

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