After successive draws, Pompey know they need to start winning games in order to keep alive their faint play-off hopes.
So three points will certainly be the target when John Mousinho takes his side to Shrewsbury on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The hosts were also in the hunt for a top six spot – helped by a six-match winning run at the start of 2023.
But they have fallen away over the past few weeks and lost their past four fixtures – including a 6-0 hammering at Charlton.
It leaves the Shropshire outfit sitting just a couple of places behind the Blues in 11th position, but with eight fewer points.
Former Pompey boss Steve Cotterill has still overseen plenty of progress, however, after guiding the Shrews to 18th spot last term.
It finished 1-1 when the sides clashed on the south coast back in October, with Zak Swanson cancelling out Elliott Bennett’s opener.
But the Blues emerged 2-1 winners in the previous season’s Montgomery Waters Meadow meeting, courtesy of goals from Aiden O’Brien and Louis Thompson.
TEAM NEWS
Paddy Lane could be available again after making a faster than anticipated return to full training following a hamstring injury.
Michael Jacobs and Connor Ogilvie will also hope to be in contention, having missed the Morecambe game with knocks.
But Ronan Curtis (knee), Jayden Reid (knee) and Zak Swanson (groin) remain sidelined and Joe Morrell serves the second game of a four-match ban.
Shrewsbury are without Tom Bayliss (ankle), George Nurse (knee), Rekeil Pyke (Achilles) and Dan Udoh (knee), while Christian Saydee (knee) remains a doubt.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Clark Robertson ahead of the game.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 17 wins
Shrewsbury: 10 wins
5 draws
On the road
Pompey: 5 wins
Shrewsbury: 8 wins
2 draws
TICKETS
Pompey fans can still secure their seat for the game. Click here for more details.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Tom Nield
Assistants: Kevin Morris and Conor Brown
Fourth Official: Billy Smallwood
MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday.
Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary.
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 Sunday.
Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).
ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
Games kick-off at 3pm unless stated
Exeter v Plymouth (12pm)
Cambridge v Peterborough (12.30pm)
Accrington v Fleetwood
Bristol Rovers v Derby
Burton v Sheffield Wednesday
Forest Green v Barnsley
Ipswich v Charlton
Lincoln v Port Vale
MK Dons v Cheltenham
Morecambe v Wycombe
Oxford v Bolton
LAST AWAY MEETING
key moments
Updated at (UK)
Commentary to begin soon
There are currently no key moments to display.
Are you sure you want to delete this event?
Delete Cancel