Match Preview: Portsmouth v Fleetwood Town

10 March 2020

Fleetwood Town face Portsmouth on Tuesday 10 March at Fratton Park in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Portsmouth v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Tuesday 10 March 2020

Kick-off: 19:45

Venue: Portsmouth Football Club, Fratton Park, Portsmouth, PO4 8RA

Match officials: Darren Drysdale (Referee), Christopher Husband & Kevin Howick (Assistants) Justin Amey (Fourth Official)

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

The Cod Army are back on the road and head down to the South Coast to play promotion hopefuls, Portsmouth at Fratton Park. The two sides met at Highbury in February, which saw Fleetwood come away 1-0 winners thanks to a Callum Connolly goal.

Fleetwood’s last match was on Saturday against local rivals, Blackpool. The game finished goalless at Highbury with the Seasiders edging the first half, with Joey Barton’s side edging the second.

With the club sitting 7^th in the league table, only three points off second place Rotherham, Tuesday night’s match against Pompey could be vital in either sides’ season.

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PORTSMOUTH

The hosts Portsmouth currently sit 6^th in Sky Bet League One, despite their 2-0 away defeat at another promotion hopeful, Peterborough United.

Kenny Jackett’s side are unbeaten at home this campaign, and with a good record against the Cod Army at Fratton Park, the home faithful will be feeling confident come 7:45pm.

Ben Close is a major doubt for Pompey, with the midfielder injuring his ankle in Saturday’s defeat at Peterborough. Ellis Harrison missed that game due to the birth of his first child, but was back training on Monday and available for selection.

Christian Burgess completes his two-match ban after collecting 10 yellow cards, while Bryn Morris is not ready to be considered for first team duties.

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ONE TO WATCH – JOHN MARQUIS

One for Town fans to keep an eye out for on Saturday afternoon is forward, John Marquis. The 27-year-old has played 45 matches in all competitions this season, scoring 14 goals in the process.

The former Doncaster Rovers man has scored 8 goals in his last 11 matches in all competition, a run that began when Fleetwood and Portsmouth last met in the FA Cup on January 4 2020, which saw Portsmouth progress to Round Four.

Pompey are unbeaten at home this season the league, and Marquis has played a huge part on that run. The forward will be looking to maintain his scoring form against the Cod Army.

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WATCH THE GAME ON iFOLLOW

Due to the match taking place outside of the broadcasting hours, you will be able to live stream the Cod Army’s match for as little as £10.

Supporters will be able to watch the action unfold in the comfort of their own homes, to see if Joey Barton’s team can keep their impressive run going against a fellow promotion hopeful in Portsmouth.

The Video Match Pass will not only provide full match coverage, but also for those who pay for this service will be given match graphics throughout, replays to key moments as well as latest score from around the League One fixtures taking place.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR VIDEO MATCH PASS FOR THE MATCH AT PORTSMOUTH!

HOW TO GET YOUR MATCHDAY TICKETS

Town supporters on the day will be situated in the Milton End Block, and admission prices have been set as follows:

Adult - £24

Senior (Concessions 65+) - £18

Young Person (18-22) - £16

Under 18 - £7

Wheelchair and carer - £15

Ambulant - £16

Carers (required to be on highest rate of DLA) - FREE OF CHARGE

To book your tickets, please call the Fleetwood Town ticket office on (01253) 775080 or call into the club shops at Poolfoot Farm or Highbury. You can also book online at www.ftfcstore.com.

A reminder that anyone with tickets from the originally scheduled game back in November can exchange them for new ones at the ticket office at Highbury. Any coach bookings from the original game not refunded will be automatically transferred.

SKY BET’S BETTING ODDS

Fleetwood are 14/5 to pick up all three points away at Portsmouth. A draw between the two sides is priced at 23/10, with a home win at EVENS.

One of Sky Bets’ price boosts are for Fleetwood to win and for both teams to score – 8/1.

For Joey Barton’s side to beat Pompey 1-0 like they did in February, you can get odds of 17/2.

For more odds on SkyBet, click HERE Please remember to bet and gamble responsibly.

Match Reports

Report: Cod Army earn valuable point at Portsmouth

10 March 2020

Fleetwood Town continued their unbeaten run after drawing 2-2 against fellow play-off hopefuls Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The Cod Army were excellent throughout and lead after 19 minutes through Barrie McKay, before Sean Raggett levelled for Pompey to see the scores level at the break.

Harry Souttar sliced into his own net three minutes into the second period, before nodding his side level just seven minutes later. Clear cut chances were at a premium with the scores level for a second time, with Joey Barton’s side earning a point to climb to fifth in Sky Bet League One.

Barton named three changes to his Fleetwood side from Saturday’s draw with Blackpool. Josh Morris, Jack Sowerby and Ched Evans replaced Wes Burns, Paul Coutts and Paddy Madden.

Portsmouth had the first effort of the game after two minutes, with Ronan Curtis scooping an effort over Alex Cairns’ crossbar from the edge of the area.

Glenn Whelan picked up a yellow card on ten minutes, after fouling the lively Ryan Williams. This was after himself being fouled three times in the opening stages by the Pompey midfielder.

The breakthrough came from McKay just nine minutes later. Evans did superb to hold the ball up inside the area, he played it back to the on-loan Swansea City man who forced a good save from Alex Bass, with McKay finishing the rebound from just a yard out.

Almost straight away, it was almost two. McKay curled a corner into the box, with Cameron McGeehan glancing a clearance round the post. A huge let off for the hosts.

Nine minutes from half-time, Portsmouth were level. Sean Raggett headed home from Ross McCrorie’s long ball after a corner was cleared. It looked like a foul in the build up from Raggett on Souttar, but the referee waved away the protests from the Cod Army.

With the last kick of the first half, Josh Morris rattled the outside of the post with a free-kick from 25 yards. So close right on the referee’s whistle.

The second half started with a really unfortunate moment for Souttar. Williams drilled a long cross into the area, with the Australian international putting the ball in his own net. He was set to bounce back later on, however.

Morris would have a huge chance to level the scores. A quick counter attack saw Sowerby spring him clear on goal, but Bass made a massive save to keep the hosts in front.

However, from a corner just two minutes later, it would be Souttar who would make it 2-2. McKay floated a cross to the back post, with Evans nodding the ball back across goal to Souttar, who couldn’t miss from a couple of yards out.

Curtis had a good chance for Portsmouth 18 minutes from time, but his header from Williams’ deep cross was well wide. A rare second half chance created by the visitors.

The game was end-to-end in the final stages, but Fleetwood came away with a well-deserved point, which on another night could have been three.

Next up, another long trip, this time to Gillingham on Saturday.

Portsmouth: Bass; McCrorie, Bolton, Raggett, Seddon; Naylor, McGeehan (Marquis 65’); Williams (Harness 65’), Cannon, Curtis; Harrison. Subs not used: MacGillivray, Brown, Downing, Evans, Hawkins.

Fleetwood: Cairns; Coyle, Souttar, Gibson, Andrew (Burns 54’); Sowerby (Coutts 69’), Connolly, Whelan; Morris (Madden 75’), Evans, McKay. Subs not used: Crellin, Thorvaldsson, Biggins, Saunders.

Ticket News

Last call for trip to Portsmouth

10 March 2020

Fleetwood Town travel to Fratton Park on Tuesday 10 March, meaning this is your last chance to get your tickets for the match against Portsmouth.

Town supporters on the day will be situated in the Milton End Block, and admission prices have been set as follows:

Adult - £24

Senior (Concessions 65+) - £18

Young Person (18-22) - £16

Under 18 - £7

Wheelchair and carer - £15

Ambulant - £16

Carers (required to be on highest rate of DLA) FOC

To book your tickets, please call the Fleetwood Town ticket office on (01253) 775080 or call into the club shops at Poolfoot Farm or Highbury. You can also book online at www.ftfcstore.com

The club will be running coaches that will be departing Highbury Stadium at 11am on the day of the game. Coach travel will cost only £5 for Onward Card holders, and £23 for non-Onward Card holders.

Ticket News

Fleetwood Town

Standings

Match Preview: Portsmouth v Fleetwood Town

Report: Cod Army earn valuable point at Portsmouth

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