Match Preview: Pompey v Derby

All you need to know about League One contest

18 November 2022

Pompey will look to stretch their long unbeaten home record when they host Derby in League One this evening (8pm kick-off).

With two of the biggest clubs in the division meeting on the south coast, it is no surprise that the contest has attracted the Sky Sports cameras for live coverage.

The visitors were relegated from the Championship last season after suffering severe financial problems that left their entire future at stake.

Wayne Rooney’s side would have stayed up without a total of 21 points being deducted and the former England international departed over the summer.

Liam Rosenior replaced him on an interim basis before Paul Warne – who has a history of securing promotion from the third tier – was poached from Rotherham in September.

The Rams currently six sixth in the standings and are level on points with Pompey, who have played one game fewer and hold a slightly better goal difference.

They were in action on Tuesday night, thrashing Torquay 5-0 in an FA Cup first replay, and took Liverpool to penalties in the Carabao Cup the previous week.

It was in that latter competition that Pompey and Derby last met, with goals from Adam McGurk and Conor Chaplin sealing a 2-1 success for the hosts at Fratton Park in August 2015.

TEAM NEWS
Ronan Curtis (ankle), Michael Jacobs (hamstring) and Tom Lowery (hamstring) are all unlikely to feature, while there are also doubts over Clark Robertson (Achilles) and Zak Swanson (shin).

Joe Rafferty (stomach), Jayden Reid (knee) and Louis Thompson (leg) are definitely out, although the latter is making good recovery.

Pompey will also have to do without midfielder Joe Morrell, who is in Qatar with the Wales squad for the World Cup.

Defenders James Chester (calf) and Curtis Davies (knee) are both missing for Derby, along with keeper Joseph Anang (arm), while Jason Knight (ankle) is a doubt.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Marlon Pack ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 35 wins
Derby: 42 wins
20 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 25 wins
Derby: 13 wins
13 draws

TICKETS
The game is sold out for home fans, so please do not travel to Fratton Park if you do not have a ticket.

Click here to read our matchday guide and find out what is happening around the ground this evening.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Neil Hair
Assistants: Alex James and James Vallance
Fourth Official: Craig Hicks

MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters based in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.

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 7pm.

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 Saturday.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not online).

BETTING
Pompey are the 13/10 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 19/10.

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

We are committed to playing our part in ensuring our relationship with VBET is promoted in the right way to our supporters.

VBET are committed to endorsing safer gambling among its customers, as well as promoting the awareness of problem gambling and improving prevention, intervention and treatment. Click here to read about VBET’s responsible gambling policy.

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
Games kick-off at 3pm unless stated

Saturday
Exeter v Ipswich (12pm)
Barnsley v MK Dons
Bristol Rovers v Peterborough
Burton v Plymouth
Cambridge v Accrington
Cheltenham v Wycombe
Fleetwood v Bolton
Lincoln v Morecambe
Oxford v Forest Green
Port Vale v Charlton
Sheffield Wednesday v Shrewsbury

MEMORABLE MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pompey 0 Derby 0

Blues and Rams play out entertaining stalemate

18 November 2022

Jay Mingi in action for Pompey against Derby County at Fratton Park — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Pompey had to settle for another Fratton stalemate after being unable to break down Derby in an entertaining Friday night fixture.

Both sides enjoyed moments of dominance in a contest that ebbed and flowed, although neither keeper had too much to do.

Danny Cowley made one change from the side that were held to a draw at Morecambe the previous week.

It came in the centre of midfield, where Ryan Tunnicliffe dropped to the bench to make way for Jay Mingi.

There was welcome news on the bench, however, with Ronan Curtis included after recovering from an ankle problem.

A packed Fratton Park create a lively atmosphere once the action started and the first half was an intriguing affair, played at a high tempo.

Owen Dale caused Louie Sibley plenty of problems down the right and one of his crosses was nodded down by Connor Ogilvie, but Max Bird managed to scramble clear.

The visitors went closer to breaking the deadlock soon after, as David McGoldrick turned sharply and fired a shot against the crossbar.

Dane Scarlett then fancied his chances when Jay Mingi was chopped down on the edge of the box, but his low free-kick could not slip under the wall.

Pompey grew stronger as the half progressed and another teasing Dale delivery was sent onto the roof of the net by a looping Ogilvie header.

An angled Dale effort was then parried out by Joe Wildsmith, with the ball flying agonisingly away from the lurking Colby Bishop.

There were another couple of half-chances for Scarlett, as the Blues began to take control of the contest.

But the Rams almost snatched a goal just before the break, with Craig Forsyth not able to turn home Conor Hourihane’s free-kick at the back post.

Half Time: Pompey 0 Derby 0

Koroma had a shot soon after the restart that was curling wide and Dale did brilliantly to keep the ball in play, forcing Derby to scramble it behind.

Clark Robertson could not get enough height on the resulting corner, but Bishop met it with a flick that flew over.

At the other end, a sliding Mingi did brilliantly to get himself in the way of a Liam Thompson effort and divert the ball behind.

The danger was not over, though, and Scarlett cleared Sibley’s shot off the line, with Marlon Pack then nodding over his own bar.

Cowley made a change just past the hour mark, with the fit-again Curtis replacing Koroma wide on the left.

The noise from the stands grew louder as Pompey began to apply pressure on their opponents and were just looking for an opening.

Curtis and Dale were both looking lively and the latter saw a shot blocked in the search for an opening goal.

Derby weathered that storm, though, and Cowley tried to liven things up by bringing on Joe Pigott for Scarlett.

The Fratton faithful tried to roar their side on to find a last-gasp winner, but the deadlock remained unbroken.

Pompey (4-4-2): Griffiths; Swanson, Raggett, Robertson (c), Ogilvie; Dale, Pack, Mingi, Koroma (Curtis 61); Scarlett (Pigott 86), Bishop
Booked: Robertson, Bishop
Subs not used: Oluwayemi, Morrison, Hume, Tunnicliffe, Hackett

Derby (3-5-2): Wildsmith; Rooney (Stearman 78), Forsyth, Cashin; Smith, Thompson (Barkhuizen 78), Bird (c), Hourihane, Sibley; McGoldrick (Osula 87), Collins (Dobbin 78)
Booked: Sibley, Cashin, Thompson, Dobbin
Subs not used: Loach, Oduroh, Aghatise

Referee: Ben Speedie

Attendance: 18,623 (1,270 away fans)