Pompey are in desperate need of points to keep their play-off hopes alive with four fixtures remaining.
They host bottom club Bristol Rovers on Saturday (1pm kick-off), looking to end a four-match winless run.
Meanwhile, the visitors know that anything less than victory on the south coast would see their relegation confirmed before all the day’s other games have even kicked-off.
Even three points would not be enough to escape their fate should Wigan avoid defeat against Burton later in the afternoon.
Joey Barton has guided the club to just three wins since taking charge at the Memorial Stadium back in February.
He is the third permanent boss of The Gas this season, following in the footsteps of Ben Garner and Paul Tisdale.
They were beaten 2-0 on home soil by MK Dons earlier in the week and have suffered seven losses in the past nine matches.
Head of recruitment Tommy Widdrington was in caretaker charge when Rovers beat Pompey 3-1 earlier in the campaign.
There was no Fratton meeting last term because of Covid-19, with the most recent Portsea Island contest finishing 1-1 in February 2019.
TEAM NEWS
Alex Bass (foot), Ben Close (groin), Ellis Harrison (knee), Jordy Hiwula (ankle) and Michael Jacobs (knee) are all still sidelined.
Jack Whatmough serves the second of a four-game ban, while there is a doubt over Lee Brown (hamstring) and Andy Cannon continues to be nursed through a troublesome back complaint.
Ed Upson is suspended for the visitors, while manager Joey Barton could make changes after criticising his team earlier in the week.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley ahead of the game.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 23 wins
Bristol Rovers: 12 wins
10 draws
At Fratton Park
Pompey: 15 wins
Bristol Rovers: 2 wins
4 draws
OFFICIALS
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Assistants: Christopher Wade and Greg Read
Fourth Official: Kevin Johnson
MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters in the UK can watch the action live – with four-camera coverage, graphics, commentary and replays – by purchasing a match pass for £10.
Subscribers will, as usual, be able to listen to listen to live commentary from Andy Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from 12pm.
Please note that subscribers based in the UK and Ireland will still need to purchase a match pass in order to watch the game live.
Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device.
We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story.
There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday.
Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent.
BETTING
Pompey are the 11/20 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 11/2.
Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Saturday’s game. 18+. Be Gamble Aware.
ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 3pm
Blackpool v Shrewsbury
Charlton v Peterborough
Crewe v Rochdale
Doncaster v Fleetwood
Gillingham v Northampton
Ipswich v AFC Wimbledon
Lincoln v Hull
MK Dons v Swindon
Oxford v Plymouth
Sunderland v Accrington
Wigan v Burton
MEMORABLE MEETING