It is starting to feel like a pivotal point in the season for Pompey. Form since Christmas has been good, however two defeats in the last three has increased the gap to the top two.
Saturday’s defeat to an in-form Fleetwood was easily Pompey’s worst performance of 2020. In inability to create good quality chances away from home has become an issue. If Jackett’s men fail to take the lead, they really do struggle to carve out any clear-cut opportunities on goal.
On Tuesday night MK Dons make the trip to Fratton looking for their first away win in five months, whilst Pompey will be looking to make it 14 wins out of their last 15 Fratton Park games – the main reason they are threatening near the top of the table.
I mentioned earlier that this is a crucial run of fixtures. Pompey have five home games coming up against favourable opposition, whilst some of the other big hitters in League One will be facing up against each other, so it’s an ideal chance to cement a place in the play-offs, and put pressure on the top two.
Sunderland v Fleetwood and Coventry v Rotherham both playing on Tuesday means some ground can be gained with a win against Russel Martin’s men.
In the previous fixture Pompey failed to capitalise on a good opening 30 minutes before some sloppy defending gifted the Dons two easy goals before they put in a good display in the 2nd period to win the game 3-1. They have proven to be a good side, especially at home.
However, away from home has been a different story for them and on paper it should be another dominant display at home from Pompey. Ellis Harrison and Andy Cannon are still slight doubts.
Cannon has been badly missed. In my opinion if he had played against Coventry and Fleetwood Pompey have gained a point at the very least in both fixtures. That is how crucial he has been to the Blues.
He provides energy, bite and can link the midfield and forward line so effectively. It is a must win game on Tuesday, with the teams who are facing each other and the games in hand Pompey have, a winnable game like this must not be passed up.
I do feel that MK will be a tough side to break down but eventually the pressure from Pompey will see them breakthrough and see out a comfortable 2-0 win with Ronan Curtis and Marquis both getting on the scoresheet.
2-0 Pompey.
Photo: Losing My Sight UK
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