Oxford v Portsmouth preview: Team news, head-to-head, line-ups, prediction
Portsmouth will attempt to secure their second away win of the season when they take on Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.
The Blues come off the back of yet another pattern of an away defeat followed by a home win, having beaten Cardiff City (11 February) by the same 2-1 scoreline they came unstuck from unluckily against Sheffield United last Saturday (8 February).
A win for John Mousinho at his old stomping ground – in fact the ground he left as a player mid-season in 2022-23 to become Pompey head coach – would move his team within two points of Gary Rowett’s hosts.
Mousinho returns to Oxford United with Portsmouth
Mousinho will have crossed paths with recently-appointed Oxford boss Rowett on several occasions throughout their respective careers, but this time it’s in a familiar setting.
The 38-year-old played over 150 games for the Us between 2017 and 2023, later in his career focusing more on the coaching side which enabled him to land his first managerial role at Fratton Park.
Numerous members of his squad have also spent time at the Kassam, including Rob Atkinson and Josh Murphy – and it was the latter whose double at his local stadium of Wembley secured Oxford’s play-off final victory to join Portsmouth in the Championship.
Championship form guide
Oxford United: DLDDW
Portsmouth: WLDLL
Head-to-Head
Portsmouth and Oxford United played out a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park back on 5 October in the reverse fixture, Mark O’Mahony on the scoresheet for the Blues while the now-departed Elias Sorensen missed a penalty.
Four of the past five meetings between the two have resulted in draws, while an Oxford side containing Mousinho eliminated Pompey on penalties from the League One play-offs at the semi-final stage at the Kassam in 2020.
Oxford United v Portsmouth team news
Mousinho has a few injury doubts for the visit to Oxford which as of Wednesday remain uncertain.
Conor Shaughnessy is being assessed after feeling his hamstring an hour into Tuesday’s win, and will be treated with kid gloves given his calf injuries this season which saw him miss over five months for Portsmouth.
Freddie Potts is “50/50” according to his head coach after a calf strain ruled him out against Cardiff, while more positive news is that Regan Poole and Kusini Yengi are now back in full training and could each play some part.
Jordan Williams, Jacob Farrell and Ibane Bowat remain out, while O’Mahony is back into contention after being named in the matchday squad on Tuesday for the first time since November.
In the Oxford camp, a quartet are ruled out comprised of Joe Bennett, Elliott Moore, Ben Nelson and Max Woltman.
Predicted line-ups
Oxford United: Cumming, Kioso, Helik, Brown, Leigh, Brannagan, Vaulks, Placheta, Rodrigues, Dembele, Harris.
Portsmouth: Schmid, Devlin, Matthews, Atkinson, Ogilvie, Dozzell, Hayden, Ritchie, Lang, Murphy, Bishop.
Score prediction: Oxford United 1-2 Portsmouth
Portsmouth could see their fortunes on Saturday hinge on fitness doubts, with Shaughnessy and Potts undoubtedly strengthening the team with their presence.
It will be more of a mountain to climb should the duo not be fit, but it will be a chance for the likes of Hayden Matthews to prove themselves and stake their claim knowing players such as Regan Poole are nearing a full comeback to action.
Pompey have a monkey on their backs away from home and had they faced a weaker opposition than Sheffield United on the road last weekend, they would likely have done enough to win. They have shown the capabilities – and if they can take the game to Oxford, their players are superior on their day.
Colby Bishop has his goalscoring touch back, Murphy is in superb form and Callum Lang will be looking to return to his previous levels. A Pompey win in Oxfordshire is far from out of the question.