All you need to know about Checkatrade Trophy clash
Pompey’s Checkatrade Trophy campaign continues tonight with their second group stage fixture against a Reading under-23 side (7.45pm kick-off).
Paul Cook’s men were beaten 4-3 at Yeovil in the opening round of matches, despite a hat-trick from Michael Smith.
The Glovers currently top Southern Group A with the Royals, who were 3-2 victors at Bristol Rovers back in August.
Goals from Jack Stacey and Jake Sheppard were both cancelled out before Joseph Mendes secured the win from the penalty spot.
Martin Kuhl’s under-23 squad have made a bright start to the campaign in the top tier of Premier League Two.
They currently sit sixth out of 12 teams and have already beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea this term.
A Reading side last visited Fratton Park in the League Cup last season, coming from behind to triumph in the second round.
But surely the most famous south coast clash occurred back in September 2007, when Pompey secured an incredible 7-4 victory – a Premier League record for goals that still stands today.
If tonight’s contest finishes level, a penalty shoot-out will be held, with the winners gaining a bonus point.
TEAM NEWS
Pompey are expected to make several changes from the side beaten by Doncaster in the league on Saturday.
Drew Talbot (hamstring) is still injured, while Dominic Hyam is ineligible to feature against his parent club.
As an ‘invited’ club, Reading must field six players who are under the age of 21.
QUOTES
Read what Paul Cook and Brandon Haunstrup have to say about the game or watch pre-match video content on Pompey PlayerHD.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 21 Wins
Reading: 12 Wins
14 Draws
At Fratton Park
Pompey: 13 Wins
Reading: 4 Wins
7 Draws
TICKETS
Tickets can be bought online here. Please note that the Fratton End booths will not be open tonight, with all sales from the Frogmore Road ticket office. Only the South Stand is open for this match.
MATCH COVERAGE
Pompey PlayerHD subscribers can listen to live commentary from Fratton Park from 7pm tonight.
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 highlights to follow on Wednesday.
Local listeners can hear commentary on Express FM or BBC Radio Solent, while The News will also have extensive coverage.
BETTING
Pompey are 8/11 favourites with Sky Bet to collect all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 100/30.
Click here to read our full betting preview and sign-up to www.skybet.com/pompey for great offers.
ALSO IN CHECKATRADE TROPHY
Bolton v Blackpool (7pm)
Cambridge v Middlesbrough U23 (7pm)
Crewe v Wolves U23 (7.30pm)
Hartlepool v Sunderland U23 (7.30pm)
Luton v West Brom U23 (7.30pm)
Peterborough v MK Dons (7.30pm)
AFC Wimbledon v Plymouth
AFC Wimbledon v Plymouth
Bradford v Bury
Bristol Rovers v Yeovil
Carlisle v Blackburn U23
Charlton v Crawley
Cheltenham v Everton U23
Chesterfield v Accrington
Colchester v Southampton U23
Coventry v Northampton
Doncaster v Derby U23
Fleetwood v Oldham
Grimsby v Leicester U23
Millwall v Gillingham
Morecambe v Stoke U23
Newport v Swansea U23
Port Vale v Mansfield
Rochdale v Notts County
Scunthorpe v Shrewsbury
Sheffield United v Walsall
Southend v Leyton Orient
Stevenage v Brighton U23
Swindon v Oxford
Wycombe v West Ham U23
Barnet v Norwich U23 (8pm)
LAST MEETING