All you need to know about League Two clash
A few weeks ago it appeared that a place in the play-offs would be the best Pompey could hope for from the 2015/16 season.
But a fantastic run of form has catapulted Paul Cook’s side right back into the automatic promotion picture.
Since losing at Barnet last month, the Blues have collected 10 points from a possible 12 – a run that included Tuesday’s night’s triumph over fellow high-fliers Accrington.
And they will look to extend the positive vibes by seeing off Newport at Fratton Park this weekend.
The Welsh outfit were beaten 3-0 at home to Barnet on Tuesday night and also lost their last away fixture at Crawley.
But they are the only two defeats from their past seven matches, as County appear to have seen off the threat of relegation.
That appeared a certainty when the Exiles failed to win any of their first eight league games and manager Terry Butcher was dismissed soon after the Supporters’ Trust took control of the club.
His replacement John Sheridan helped spark a turnaround in form, however, and when he left for Oldham in January, assistant Warren Feeney stepped up to continue the march away from the bottom two.
Newport – who have won on their last three visits to Fratton Park – currently sit 19th in the table and are a comfortable 11 points clear of the drop zone with 12 games left to play.
TEAM NEWS
Kieron Freeman will miss out after picking up a knock and is joined on the sidelines by Brian Murphy (calf).
Tommy O’Sullivan could feature for the visitors after returning on loan from Cardiff, while Medy Elito has finished a two-match ban.
Lenell John-Lewis (hamstring) and Matt Partridge (calf) miss out, and Janoi Donacien (knee), Darren Jones (thigh) and John-Christopher Ayina (groin) are doubts.
QUOTES
Read what Paul Cook and Michael Smith have to say about the game or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for extended interviews with the manager and Marc McNulty.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 12 Wins
Newport: 12 Wins
6 Draws
At Fratton Park
Pompey: 7 Wins
Newport: 5 Wins
3 Draws
Last Meeting
Newport 0
Pompey 1 (Tubbs)
League Two
October 17 2015
MATCH COVERAGE
Pompey PlayerHD subscribers can listen to live online commentary from Fratton Park from 2pm on Saturday.
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 at midday 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
Tickets can be bought online here. On the day of the game, they will be sold from the kiosks behind the Fratton End, which are open from 11am.
BETTING
Pompey are 1/2 favourites with Sky Bet to pick up all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 6/1.
Click here to read our betting preview and remember to register at www.skybet.com/pompey to earn money for the club whenever you have a flutter.
ALSO IN LEAGUE TWO
Accrington v Plymouth
Bristol Rovers v Mansfield
Exeter v Carlisle
Hartlepool v Dag & Red
Luton v Crawley
Morecambe v AFC Wimbledon
Northampton v Cambridge
Oxford v Leyton Orient
Wycombe v Stevenage
Yeovil v Notts County
York v Barnet
LAST SEASON