After securing progress in two cup competitions, Pompey switch their focus back to League One matters when they visit Morecambe on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Danny Cowley’s fifth-placed side are attempting to narrow the 10-point gap to second spot, knowing they hold two games in hand on all the clubs above them.
Their next opponents are eager for positive results for an altogether different reason, as they try to escape the drop zone.
Derek Adams’ Lancaster outfit are in 22nd position, but have collected four points from their two most recent home games against Barnsley and Derby.
The past week, however, has seen them dumped out of the FA Cup at Sheffield Wednesday and the Carabao Cup at MK Dons.
It comes after they only escaped making an immediate drop back into the basement on the final day of last season.
Pompey head north looking for their first ever victory at the Mazuma Stadium at the sixth time of asking.
They came close to breaking their duck last term, but Jonah Ayunga struck deep into stoppage-time to cancel out Sean Raggett’s fine opener.
TEAM NEWS
Marlon Pack could return to the midfield after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Owen Dale and Dane Scarlett are back in contention having been ineligible for the FA Cup trip to Hereford.
Michael Jacobs (hamstring), Joe Rafferty (stomach), Jayden Reid (knee) and Louis Thompson (leg) remain on the injury list, while Ronan Curtis (ankle) is a doubt.
Courtney Duffus and Ash Hunter are both long-term absentees for Morecambe, with the game coming too soon for Donald Love, Shane McLoughlin, Max Melbourne and Jake Taylor.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Joe Morrell ahead of the game.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 3 wins
Morecambe 2 wins
5 draws
On the road
Pompey: 0 wins
Morecambe: 2 wins
3 draws
TICKETS
Pompey fans are able to secure tickets at Morecambe on the day of the game. Click here for more details.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Adam Herczeg
Assistants: Abbas Khan and Oliver Bickle
Fourth Official: Anthony Moore
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).
BETTING
Pompey are the 4/6 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 4/1.
Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Saturday’s game. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.
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ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 3pm
Accrington v Sheffield Wednesday
Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood
Burton v Charlton
Cambridge v Bolton
Exeter v Peterborough
Forest Green v Wycombe
Ipswich v Cheltenham
Lincoln v Plymouth
MK Dons v Derby
Oxford v Port Vale
Shrewsbury v Barnsley
MEMORABLE MEETING
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