Pompey will be hoping to create plenty of Christmas cheer by extending their long unbeaten run.
Nobody has managed to beat the Blues in any of their past 10 fixtures in three different competitions.
That has seen them climb to within touching distance of League One’s play-off places, as well as reaching the third round of both the FA Cup and Leasing.com Trophy.
And after suffering an inconsistent start to the 2019/20 campaign, Ben Close is pleased that things are now looking up.
The midfielder said: “We’ve got to stay on this good run. We’re still unbeaten at home in the league and that can boost our confidence.
“It’s important to keep trying to build momentum because everyone’s determined to continue climbing the table.
“There are fine margins in football and I don’t think we were ever far off winning during our bad run earlier in the season.
“Sometimes it takes a few minor tweaks or a bit of luck for everything to turn and we’ve been able to find some form.
“But it’s important to really stay on top things because everyone wants to make sure that it keeps going.”
Pompey extended the run with a 2-2 draw against Peterborough on Saturday, with Lee Brown and Ellis Harrison on target at Fratton Park.
Close said: “You have to be positive and say it’s another point gained against a good team who are flying and in great form.
“It felt like a big occasion and the fans got right behind us. Once we got the second goal, I thought we’d go on to get another.
“At that point it seemed like we were really on top and putting Peterborough on the back foot, so it was disappointing to concede the equaliser.
“Nathan Thompson was just as we expected – he battled for the whole game and was hard to get past.”