Sheff Wed v Portsmouth preview: Team news, where to watch, supercomputer prediction
Portsmouth will be riding a wave of jubilation as they prepare for their Championship fixture with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday.
John Mousinho’s side secured their Championship status last time out against Watford by clinching a 1-0 win at Fratton Park thanks to a goal from top scorer Colby Bishop.
The result means Pompey have a six-point cushion on the relegation zone and can enjoy a pressure-free encounter with the Owls.
Preview
Portsmouth’s victory over the Hornets means they are the first of the promoted sides to clinch their second-tier status.
Their match with Danny Rohl’s side will essentially be a free hit, given they have nothing left to play for but will want to keep the momentum going until the end of the season.
Away form has been an issue for the South Coast side – their 49 goals conceded means they have the worst defensive record in the division.
| Team | Goals Conceded Away From Home |
| Portsmouth | 49 |
| Plymouth Argyle | 48 |
| Cardiff City | 42 |
| Luton Town | 42 |
| Derby County | 38 |
As for Sheffield Wednesday, they also enter the encounter with nothing to play for as they are sitting in mid-table, 10 points off the play-offs and the same number above the relegation zone.
However, they approach the contest on the back of an impressive home win after defeating top-six hopefuls Middlesbrough 2-1.
Form Guide (Championship)
Sheffield Wednesday: LDLLW
Portsmouth: LLDWW
Team News
Pompey’s victory over the Hornets did not come without consequence, as Jacob Murphy, Jordan Williams, and Bishop were all withdrawn with injuries.
If Mousinho’s comments on the trio are anything to go by, then it sounds like Williams will be out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring problem.
As for Murphy (knock) and Bishop (cramp), their injuries appear less serious and should be in line for a return.
Meanwhile, absentees Hayden Matthews, Ibane Bowat, and Jacob Farrell will all remain sidelined until the end of the season.
Wednesday fielded a makeshift defence against Boro due to injuries across the back, but Rohl did not confirm how long his excluded players will be out for.
Akin Famewo, Dominic Iorfa, Pol Valentin, and Michael Ihiekwe all missed the clash and it is unknown if Rohl will risk any of them in the remaining two games.
Predicted line-ups
Sheffield Wednesday: P Charles, Valery, S Charles, Otegbayo, Johnson, Bannan, Ingelsson, Gassama, Paterson, Windass, Smith
Portsmouth: Schmid, Devlin, Poole, Atkinson, Ogilvie, Hayden, Potts, Aouchiche, Ritchie, Murphy, Bishop
Where to watch
Although the match will not be televised, supporters can tune into BBC Radio Solent for live commentary.
Supercomputer prediction
Even though Pompey head into the clash as the form side, the Opta supercomputer has the Owls down as the favourites, with a 47.1 per cent chance of winning.
A Portsmouth win is the second most likely result at 26.6 per cent, while a draw is considered as 26.3 per cent likely.