Match Preview: Pompey v Ipswich

All you need to know about League One test

19 October 2021

There are a number of intriguing subplots to this evening’s south coast contest between Pompey and Ipswich (7.45pm kick-off).

Visiting boss Paul Cook led the Blues to the 2016/17 League Two title, with Tractor Boys striker Conor Chaplin playing his part in that triumph.

So to did Gary Roberts, who is now on the Suffolk side’s backroom team, along with ex-Fratton goalkeeping coach John Keeley.

Pompey duo Ellis Harrison and Ryan Tunnicliffe both had previous stints at Portman Road, while Gavin Bazunu, Michael Jacobs, Joe Morrell and Mahlon Romeo were all linked with a move there over the summer.

But tonight is also a match between two clubs who will feel they should be sitting higher in the League One standings.

An inconsistent start to the campaign has left Pompey in 12th position after a dozen fixtures, while their opponents are one point – and three places – behind.

Ipswich failed to win any of their opening eight games in all competitions, although have picked up of late.

They are the division’s top scorers with 23 strikes – helped by last month’s 6-0 rout of bottom club Doncaster.

But nobody has conceded more than the 21 that have gone in at the other end and the side let slip a two-goal lead to draw at Cambridge on Saturday.

Pompey won all three meetings between the sides last season, including a 2-1 victory at Fratton Park in Danny Cowley’s first match in charge.

TEAM NEWS
Republic of Ireland international Ronan Curtis is available again after being suspended for Saturday’s defeat at Rotherham.

Paul Downing (hamstring), Ellis Harrison (ankle), Jayden Reid (knee), Clark Robertson (hip) and Liam Vincent (shin) are all sidelined.

Ipswich have doubts over Hayden Coulson (groin) and Christian Walton (thigh), while Jon Nolan (calf) will definitely miss out.

Summer signings Lee Evans and Joe Pigott were both absent for the Tractor Boys at the weekend for family reasons.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Connor Ogilvie or watch the video below.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 16 wins
Ipswich: 19 wins
12 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 6 wins
Ipswich: 10 wins
7 draws

TICKETS
There are a limited number of single seats still available for this evening’s match, which can be bought online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office.

Please note that all parking has been pre-booked and there are no more spaces available in the club car park.

Fratton Park is now a cashless stadium, with contactless payments will be required in all food kiosks and hospitality areas, as well as for the purchase of tickets.

Portsmouth Football Club respectfully ask all supporters to adhere to the Code of Conduct to ensure an enjoyable and safe matchday experience for all.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Joshua Smith
Assistants: Rob Smith and Sam Lewis
Fourth Official: Tom Bishop

MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live – with four-camera coverage – by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre.

Domestic iFollow subscribers can also enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game.

Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device.

We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story.

There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Wednesday.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent.

BETTING
Pompey are the 6/4 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 21/10.

Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for this evening's game. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 7.45pm

Cambridge v Sheffield Wednesday
Charlton v Accrington
Cheltenham v Morecambe
Crewe v Sunderland
Fleetwood v Burton
Gillingham v Doncaster
Lincoln v AFC Wimbledon
Oxford v Shrewsbury
Plymouth v Bolton
Rotherham v Wycombe
Wigan v MK Dons

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pompey 0 Ipswich 4

Blues fall to heavy home defeat

19 October 2021

Ryan Tunnicliffe in action for Pompey against Ipswich Town at Fratton Park — Photo: Graham Hunt

Pompey endured a chastening night on the south coast as they fell to a heavy home defeat against Ipswich.

There was more generosity on display from the Blues to allow Macauley Bonne to break the deadlock at the end of an even first half.

But the Tractor Boys were on top throughout the second period and Conor Chaplin doubled their lead against his former club.

And it quickly got worse for Pompey, with Sone Aluko and Wes Burns both finding the target to leave Fratton Park stunned.

Danny Cowley made one change from the side that were beaten on the road at Rotherham at the weekend.

Ronan Curtis returned from suspension to replace Connor Ogilvie, with Shaun Williams dropping back into defence.

Chaplin was in the visitors’ forward line, while there were also plenty of familiar faces in the dug-out, with Paul Cook’s backroom team including Gary Roberts and John Keeley.

There was not too much between the sides during the first half, but it was arguably Pompey who settled quicker.

And Christian Walton would have been relieved to see the ball fly safe after his clearance hit Curtis in the opening seconds.

Bonne nodded a cross from Lee Evans over the bar at the other end, but clear-cut openings were not exactly flowing.

The best arrived for the hosts on 15 minutes, with Marcus Harness only able to slot narrowly wide after meeting a low delivery from Lee Brown.

It was still the Blues looking the more assured side as the interval approached, but they were unable to properly test Walton.

And they undid all their good work by gifting the Tractor Boys an extremely soft opener on 41 minutes.

Gavin Bazunu took too much time on the ball and was dispossessed Bonne, who still had to keep the ball in play and then slam it into the net from an acute angle.

Half Time: Pompey 0 Ipswich 1

The Tractor Boys were quicker out of the blocks once the action restarted and they soon doubled their advantage.

Chaplin became the second striker to haunt his former club in a matter of days, neatly turning home a low Janoi Donacien delivery.

And he then turned provider to feed Aluko, whose shot squirmed under Bazunu’s hand and rolled over the line.

Cowley made his first substitution just past the hour mark, with George Hirst on to replace John Marquis up front.

And a second switch in the forward line followed moments later, as Harness made way for Reeco Hackett.

Pompey were being frustrated in the attempts to get back into the contest and struggled to find any rhythm going forward.

The third – and final – switch was in the heart of defence on 73 minutes, with Ogilvie coming on for Williams.

But it failed to halt the tide and substitute Burns soon turned in a low Donacien centre to increase the Tractor Boys’ lead.

The Fratton faithful made their displeasure known, but there was warm applause for Chaplin when he was brought off.

Walton was finally called into action late on and denied the hosts a consolation by making a smart save from Hirst.

But that was about as good as it got for Pompey, who must now find a way to recover ahead of Saturday’s tricky trip to Accrington.

Pompey (3-4-3): Bazunu; Freeman, Raggett, Williams (Ogilvie 73); Romeo, Tunnicliffe, Morrell, Brown (c); Harness (Hackett 69), Marquis (Hirst 64), Curtis
Booked: Curtis, Harness
Subs not used: Bass, Thompson, Azeez, Jacobs

Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Walton; Donacien, Nsiala, Edmundson, Penney; Evans, Morsy (c); Aluko (Celina 85), Chaplin (Harper 78), Edwards (Burns 64); Bonne
Goals: Bonne 41, Chaplin 54, Aluko 58, Burns 75
Booked: Edmundson, Morsy
Subs not used: Hladky, Burgess, El Mizouni, Barry

Referee: Joshua Smith

Attendance: 16,301 (1,260 away fans)