All you need to know about League Two clash
There has not been too much Christmas cheer at Pompey over the past few seasons.
But there is plenty of reason to eat, drink and be merry this year, with Paul Cook’s side sitting fourth in the table.
And the mood will improve further if they finish Boxing Day at the summit of League Two.
That could be the case if the Blues are victorious at Leyton Orient, while other results work in their favour.
Their hosts started the season in scintillating form and were the early pacesetters after winning their first five league matches.
But they have only triumphed three times since and have dropped to 10th – three points outside the play-off places.
Ian Hendon’s side are on a six-game winless run in all competitions, although that sequence has included five draws.
Pompey hold the better overall record between the two sides, although they have lost their last four clashes with the Londoners – including that infamous 4-1 FA Cup defeat in 2002.
TEAM NEWS
Christian Burgess (ankle) and Paul Jones (knee surgery) are both out, while the game could come too soon for Gary Roberts (ankle), Matt Tubbs (ankle) and Jack Whatmough (knee).
Michael Doyle is also an injury doubt after hurting his ankle in last week’s win at Northampton.
Former Pompey loanee Paul McCallum (knee) is a long-term absentee for Orient, while John Marquis (knee) could also miss out on featuring against his old club.
The hosts will also be without Dean Cox (knee), Sammy Moore (knee), Jack Payne (shin), while Lloyd James (ankle) and Blair Turgott (hamstring) are both doubts.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 15 Wins
Leyton Orient: 11 Wins
13 Draw
At Orient
Pompey: 5 Wins
Leyton Orient: 7 Wins
6 Draws
Last Meeting
Leyton Orient 1 (Batt)
Pompey 0
League One
March 12 2013
MATCH COVERAGE
Pompey PlayerHD subscribers can listen to live online commentary from the Matchroom Stadium from 2pm on Boxing Day.
We’ll also have match updates on Twitter and the Pompey Wall.
There will be post-match reaction on the website, Pompey PlayerHD and our official YouTube channel, with extended highlights to follow on Sunday.
Local listeners can hear commentary on Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not online), while The News will also have extensive coverage.
TICKETS
Pompey have sold their entire allocation of tickets and no more will be available to buy on the day of the game.
TRAVEL INFO
Click here to read travel information on the PST website.
TRAVEL INFO
Click here to read travel information on the PST website.
BETTING
Pompey are 6/4 favourites with Sky Bet to claim all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 21/10.
Click here to read our betting preview and remember to register at www.skybet.com/pompey to ean money for the club whenever you have a flutter.
ALSO IN LEAGUE TWO
Dag & Red v Cambridge (1pm)
Accrington v Carlisle
AFC Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers
Barnet v Newport
Crawley v Stevenage
Hartlepool v Notts County
Luton v Wycombe
Morecambe v Mansfield
Oxford v Exeter
Plymouth v Yeovil
York v Northampton