Portsmouth predicted XI v West Brom – Matt Ritchie out
John Mousinho could make one change for Portsmouth at West Brom this Saturday with Matt Ritchie potentially due a rest.
Pompey take on the trip to The Hawthorns (25 January) in search of building on back-to-back wins, though the home and away form in recent months has been a stark contrast.
Ritchie, 35, was the hero against Middlesbrough last Saturday (18 January) and put in an excellent shift in the win over Stoke City four days later, but Mousinho may be wary of managing his minutes.
Portsmouth predicted XI v West Brom (A)
Mousinho would not be blamed if he opted to go unchanged for another contest, sticking with the same starting XI which overcame both Boro and Stoke at Fratton Park within the past week.
However, the Championship schedule is demanding and with players waiting in the wings for their opportunity, the head coach may elect to make some minor adjustments.
Assuming Mousinho sticks to the 4-2-3-1 he rigidly prefers, Nicolas Schmid will start in goal with an anticipated untouched back four of Wednesday’s man of the match Jordan Williams, goalscorer Connor Ogilvie on the opposite side, with Marlon Pack partnering Rob Atkinson in the centre of defence.
Isaac Hayden is gradually building his match sharpness and should get another 60-70 minutes at The Hawthorns alongside Freddie Potts, though Andre Dozzell is perfectly capable of filling in.
Josh Murphy had a relatively quiet game against Stoke but is undoubtedly the superior option down the left flank, while the right is where Ritchie could either be gambled upon or sacrificed. Terry Devlin would be a potential candidate having demonstrated his versatility as a right-back this season.
Colby Bishop will lead the line with Callum Lang in behind him – the two got themselves a goal apiece inside the first nine minutes on the South Coast in midweek, Lang with his 10th of the campaign.
The likes of Christian Saydee, Owen Moxon and Tom McIntyre will all be hoping for minutes, with some players still possibly leaving the club within the next 10 days or so.
In other Portsmouth news, the Australian flavour of the Pompey squad becomes stronger.