After exiting one cup competition at the weekend, Pompey will now try to progress in another this evening.
Kenny Jackett’s side were arguably unfortunate to lose at Championship side Bristol City in the FA Cup at the weekend.
And the Blues will be keen not to relinquish their grip on the EFL Trophy when they travel to Peterborough (7pm kick-off).
You have to go back to January 2018 to find the last time the club were knocked out of this competition.
Since that defeat to Chelsea’s youngsters, they beat Sunderland on penalties to win the 2019/20 silverware at Wembley.
And, of course, we are still waiting to discover a rearranged date for last season’s showpiece against Salford.
Peterborough – who are two points below Pompey in the League One standings – finished runners-up to Cambridge in Southern Group H.
And they made it to the third round by easing to a 3-0 victory over West Ham U21s at London Road last month.
Posh – who beat Chesterfield in the 2014 final – were defeated 2-0 at Fratton Park in the league last month.
And the only previous meeting between the sides in this competition was two years ago, when David Wheeler’s late goal settled a quarter-final contest in Pompey’s favour.
If tonight’s contest finishes all square after 90 minutes, then the tie will be settled by a penalty shoot-out.
TEAM NEWS
Pompey are expected to make multiple changes for the game, with those who started at Bristol City on Sunday likely to be rested.
Alex Bass (calf) is the only injured member of the squad, although Haji Mnoga is suspended and Ronan Curtis missed the Ashton Gate trip through illness.
Joe Ward will make his return from knee surgery against the Blues, but Ronnie Edwards is self-isolating.
Former Pompey defender Nathan Thompson can feature for the hosts, as the ban for his recent red card only applies to league fixtures.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of assistant manager Joe Gallen ahead of the game.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 12 wins
Peterborough: 9 wins
9 draws
At London Road
Pompey: 4 wins
Peterborough: 3 wins
6 draws
OFFICIALS
Referee: Robert Lewis
Assistants: Lisa Rashid and Aaron Farmer
Fourth Official: Abbas Khan
MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters in the UK can watch the action live – with 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 Alan McLoughlin by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from 7pm.
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 Wednesday.
Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent.
Please note that current BBC guidelines mean commentators are not allowed to travel outside of their regions for games.
The BBC Radio Solent team will still be providing commentary from their studio for listeners on the radio and iFollow audio stream.
However, because this will not sync up with the iFollow video stream, supporters watching the game will only hear ambient stadium noise. Alternatively, they can use the settings cog to switch to local Peterborough commentary.
BETTING
Peterborough are the 8/11 favourites with VBET to reach the next round, while Pompey can be backed at 20/21.
Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for this evening’s game. Please gamble responsibly.
ALSO IN PAPA JOHN’S TROPHY
Games kick-off at 7pm unless stated
Tonight
Hull v Fleetwood (5.30pm)
Sunderland v Port Vale (6pm)
Bristol Rovers v AFC Wimbledon
Lincoln v Accrington
Oxford v Cambridge
Northampton v MK Dons (7.45pm)
Wednesday
Tranmere v Leicester U21
LAST MEETING