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Match Previews

Match Preview: Pompey v Cheltenham

All you need to know about League One contest

24 February 2023

Pompey v Cheltenham Town

Cheltenham will have to brush off their cup heartache when they make the trip down to Fratton Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Wade Elliott’s side were beaten on penalties at Plymouth earlier in the week, missing out on a trip to Wembley for the Papa Johns Trophy final.

Now they can fully focus on trying to maintain their League One status by increasing the three-point gap to the relegation places.

The Robins have secured just one victory since the turn of the year, although that was in their last away game at struggling Cambridge on Valentine’s Day.

They were soundly beaten on home soil by Barnsley a week ago, ensuring Michael Duff enjoyed a fruitful return to Whaddon Road.

He had made more than 300 appearances for the Gloucestershire outfit as a player, then guided them to the League Two title as manager, but departed for Oakwell last summer.

Former Bournemouth and Burnley midfielder Elliott stepped up from his role as first team coach to replace Duff in the hot-seat.

Pompey have won just one of their previous four home contests with Cheltenham – the 6-1 thumping that secured the League Two title in 2017 – with the others finishing as draws.

But they were 2-0 victors in this season’s reverse fixture on a roasting August afternoon, courtesy of a brace from Colby Bishop.

TEAM NEWS
Pompey have several injured players back in training, although none of them are expected to be available this weekend.

The game will likely come too soon for Tom Lowery (hamstring), Jay Mingi (knee), Clark Robertson (hip) and Zak Swanson (groin).

And the hosts are definitely still missing Marlon Pack (knee) and Jayden Reid (knee) against Cheltenham.

The Robins are without Tom Bradbury (ankle), Lewis Freestone (knee), Will Goodwin (groin) and Ben Williams (hamstring).

But Luton loanee Glen Rea could make his first appearance for the side after completing his rehabilitation following a serious knee injury

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Joe Rafferty ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 3 wins
Cheltenham: 1 win
6 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 1 win
Cheltenham: 0 wins
3 draws

TICKETS
Pompey fans can secure tickets online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office, although these are selling fast.

Subject to availability, they can also be bought from the ticket booth behind the Fratton End on Saturday.

The Victory Bar and external North Stand concourse are open from midday, while there is a DJ in the Fanzone. Click here to read a full list of matchday activities.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Lee Swabey
Assistants: Garry Maskell and Helen Edwards
Fourth Official: Aji Ajibola

MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday.

Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary.

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 BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
Games kick-off at 3pm unless stated

Oxford v Bristol Rovers (12.30pm)
Barnsley v Derby
Bolton v Port Vale
Burton v Accrington
Charlton v Sheffield Wednesday
Exeter v Cambridge
Fleetwood v Morecambe
Forest Green v Lincoln
MK Dons v Ipswich
Peterborough v Plymouth
Shrewsbury v Wycombe

LAST MEETING


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