Boss says tiredness shouldn't be a factor
It has been a gruelling run of fixtures for Pompey.
They will look to make it three successive wins Grimsby visit the south coast for what will be a sixth game in the space of just 18 days.
But that run has seen just one defeat and coincided with a charge into the automatic promotion places.
And Paul Cook is not sure whether tired legs will prove an issue when there is so much positivity around Fratton Park.
The Blues boss said: “We know there have been times when we’ve had poor performances or results on the back of good ones.
“But all we can do is prepare properly and the big question mark is over whether we change the team.
“We do think about the minutes that they’re are getting and whether to rest players, but the most important game is always the next one.
“I’m not so sure that tiredness affects lads when confidence is high – when you’re playing well there’s a spring in your step.
“When you get beaten and have those weeks that we’ve all experienced, then it becomes a tedious slog.
“So our lads are okay at the minute. We’ve had a lot of games in a short space of time, but so has everyone else.”
Grimsby won 3-0 at Leyton Orient on Saturday and Cook is impressed with how they have fared since selling the prolific Omar Bogle to Wigan in January.
He said: “They are a very good side who are having an exceptional season after coming out of the National League.
“When you lose your top scorer like they did and are able to pick up the baton to run towards the play-offs, it means they deserve great credit.
“They’ve had some fantastic results of late, so I’m sure Marcus Bignot will be pleased with the progress they’re making.”
Watch Cook’s thoughts on the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for full pre-match video content.