Fleetwood Town take on Sky Bet League One pacemakers Portsmouth at Highbury Stadium on Saturday, and in this preview we will tell you everything you need to know about the two sides’ in their 17th meeting since the first match-up in 2013.
Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Portsmouth
Competition: Sky Bet League One
Date: Saturday 20 January 2024
Kick-Off: 15:00
Venue: Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6TX
PORTSMOUTH
Table-toppers Portsmouth make the long journey north to the Fylde Coast desperate to bounce back and to resort to previous winning habits after two losses in a row - a 2-1 loss to Cheltenham and then a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home last time out to Leyton Orient - Pompey do however still sit top of the table [53 points] but with Peterborough and Derby in second and third spot, and only a point behind [52 points] breathing down Portsmouth’s neck and only four points separating the final play-off spots and first place the margin for error is rapidly decreasing.
Since the Hampshire side’s promotion from the fourth division into Sky Bet League One in 2016/2017, Portsmouth haven’t found their niche into success to get out of the third division, however this season they are in the best position to do so since John Mousinho took the managerial role a year ago this month; Mousinho, who stepped into his first full-time gig had a task to turn Portsmouth’s fortunes around as the Fratton Park side were sat in 15th place with only one win in 15 games.
The Pompey faithful can look into the future with optimism as the statistics on the pitch offer a 51% win percentage with 29 wins, 17 draws and only 11 losses - a few key factors for Portsmouth’s good form this campaign is Colby Bishop as the visitors’ number nine has 13 goals and two assists in 25 league matches played, a constant thorn in opponents’ sides.
PLAYERS WHO PLAYED FOR BOTH
A familiar name in Portsmouth’s side enjoying some form is ex-Cod Paddy Lane who this season boasts seven goals and four assists, including a fine catalogue of goals from forward positions. Lane, who joined Fleetwood from non-league Hyde United made 64 appearances for Town including eight goals in that time a period that saw Pompey the winners for the attacker’s signature.
Lane, who made his Northern Ireland senior debut whilst donning the strip of Fleetwood is now is a regular at international level and one of the first name’s on the top of the table’s team-sheet.
Other familiar names that have made the near 600 mile round-trip between Highbury Stadium and Fratton Park are Fleetwood’s number seven in the 2013/14 League Two Play-Off winning season Gareth Evans - who made the straight swap to Portsmouth on a one year deal which was extended two times which meant Evans made 173 appearances for Pompey, even wearing the captain’s armband in Brett Pitman’s absence.
Callum Johnson and Ellis Harrison are names that are also remembered at both clubs in more recent times between 2021 and 2022 respectively.
THE LAST MEETING
On Saturday 23 December 2023, Fleetwood visited Fratton Park where their hard-work and efforts were rewarded with a point on the road - Bishop’s penalty opened the scoring for the hosts however it was cancelled out in the second half when Josh Earl was in the right place at the right time for the Cods to poke an equaliser home and the spoils were shared, here’s hoping Town can do one better and get a positive result to turn a corner for form.
HERE ARE THEY KEY IFOLLOW DETAILS
On the day of the game, there will be two matchday packages available for both overseas and, one for UK-based supporters - buy your iFollow pass HERE!
Video Match Pass - £10 (Overseas only)
Audio Match Pass - £2.50 (UK and overseas)
Those who choose the Audio Match Pass option will get access to just the commentary, which will be provided by our partners, BBC Radio Lancashire. Season passes are available with audio passes for only £45 for the season, for all UK-based members of the Cod Army!
If you want to buy a package for the rest of the season, you can find more details by heading over to our iFollow page.
TICKET NEWS FOR THE MATCH
Charlie Adam's side narrowly missed out on picking up what would have been a valuable point at the weekend away at Cambridge United, but now all attention turns to next weekend as Town will need to get the ball rolling to get off the bottom of the league table.
With ten home matches remaining, the players need you more than ever!
Below will be the pricing for the Portsmouth game - click HERE to buy now!
| CATEGORY B | STANDING | SEATING | PREMIUM |
| ADULTS | £23 | £25 | £27 |
| SENIORS / UNDER-25s | £18 | £20 | £23 |
| UNDER-16s | £8 | £9 | £10 |
If you would like any more information regarding the ticket sales dates, prices, or any other general enquiries, you can contact our ticket office at Highbury Stadium by ringing 01253 775080 or you can email info@fleetwoodtownfc.com.