Pompey’s promotion charge has stuttered recently and they are currently seven points adrift of second place.
So Kenny Jackett’s side will be looking to get things back on a track against a Northampton side who were propping up the rest of the division at the beginning of the week.
But the Cobblers should be in confident mood following Tuesday night’s home victory over mid-table Plymouth.
A Ryan Watson brace brought to an end their 11-match winning run and led to a rise of two spots in the standings.
It means that the club are now just a single point shy of the safety mark, with 14 games still left to play.
Poor form led to the dismissal of manager Keith Curle last month, while it was recently announced that caretaker boss Jon Brady will remain in that position for the remainder of the season.
He will be hoping to ensure Northampton do not make an immediate return to League Two, having beaten Exeter at Wembley in last June’s play-off final.
The Blues were beaten 3-1 – with Matty Kennedy on target – on their most recent visit to Sixfields Stadium back in September 2017.
But Pompey triumphed 4-0 when the sides met on the south coast earlier in the current campaign, courtesy of a John Marquis double and goals from Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness.
TEAM NEWS
James Bolton (ankle) and Michael Jacobs (hamstring) will both require fitness tests after recently returning to training.
Alex Bass has suffered a recurrence of his hairline foot fracture and Callum Johnson (calf) is still sidelined.
Northampton will be without defenders Cian Bolger (hip) and Alan Sheehan (calf), while on-loan Pompey midfielder Bryn Morris cannot appear against his parent club.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Kenny Jackett ahead of the game.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 20 wins
Northampton: 10 wins
7 draws
At Northampton
Pompey: 6 wins
Northampton: 7 wins
3 draws
OFFICIALS
Referee: Andy Haines
Assistants: Darren Wilding and Leigh Crowhurst
Fourth Official: Paul Stonier
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 Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from 2pm.
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.
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, but there might be a slight delay between the pictures and the audio.
Supporters can use the settings cog to switch to local Northampton commentary if they prefer.
BETTING
Pompey are the 87/100 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 10/3.
Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Saturday’s game. 18+. Be Gamble Aware.
ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
Games kick-off at 3pm unless stated
Gillingham v Ipswich (1pm)
Accrington v Swindon
Blackpool v AFC Wimbledon
Burton v Peterborough
Doncaster v Plymouth
Hull v Bristol Rovers
Lincoln v Crewe
Oxford v Charlton
Shrewsbury v Fleetwood
Sunderland v Rochdale
Wigan v MK Dons
LAST MEETING