Fan Hub partner Off The Line previews Pompey’s match at Accrington Stanley.

You can read their full Sky Bet League One weekend preview here.

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley will be demanding a response from his side after their abject showing during midweek as they travel to face Accrington Stanley. 

Accrington come into this off the back of a victory over Charlton in midweek. Accrington impressed with a 3-2 win where they were very good going forward. It could have been more than three too if Harry Pell’s freekick which according to Coleman went over the line was given.

However, I’m sure Coleman is glad it didn’t matter at full time. Stanley shocked Ipswich at home before the international break and haven’t played at the Wham! Stadium in the league for what will be three weeks.

The formation Coleman has settled on is a 3-5-2 which could come unstuck against a Portsmouth side who like to match that up with more attacking intent from midfield.

Portsmouth’s 4-0 win over Sunderland really papered over the cracks recently, many including myself thought they’d turned a corner after that. However, since then they’ve conceded four goals in back-to-back games and it’s now a run of one win in 10 games.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu will come under pressure after giving away a couple of really soft goals in the last couple of games. Cowley took responsibility for the defeat but did comment on the fact the team have a mental weakness when going behind in games.

“It’s not the goal which cost us the game, it’s the way we responded.”

Danny Cowley

Coming into this they’ll need to get ready to fight for everything, because Accrington won’t let them have it their own way.

Prediction: Accrington Stanley 1-1 Portsmouth

This will finish in a 1-1 draw after Marcus Harness opens the scoring for Portsmouth. However, they won’t hold on to the victory after Harry Pell sets up Colby Bishop for a late equaliser.

One to Watch: Harry Pell

Harry Pell arrived from Colchester in the summer and has started his career playing off the front man Colby Bishop. He already has four goals and two assists including a stunning free kick in midweek.

Photo: Daniel Chesterton