Mousinho axes Hayden in three changes – Portsmouth predicted XI v Hull
Portsmouth could make three changes when they face Hull City at Fratton Park on the final day of the Championship season.
The curtain comes down on the 46-match marathon this Saturday (3 May), with Pompey set for a long-awaited rest having consolidated their place in the second tier for next term.
Visitors Hull, on the other hand, have plenty to play for as they sit one point adrift of safety in the relegation zone and are likely to have to take victory in PO4.
Portsmouth to bring Callum Lang back into XI
Portsmouth could make several changes from a rotated side that started last Saturday in the 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday (26 April).
Callum Lang played 20 minutes at Hillsborough as he continues his comeback from injury, and could be rewarded for his hard work with a starting berth at a ground on which he has enjoyed so much success this year.
Lang would slot into the number 10 role, which was occupied by Andre Dozzell against Sheffield Wednesday. Dozzell would then move deeper, which would likely mean Isaac Hayden drops to the bench. Freddie Potts will play what is likely to be his final game in a Pompey shirt.
Ben Killip was handed a debut between the sticks last time out, with Mousinho admitting it was almost a trial run to decide whether he would be kept beyond the summer. However, with Hull’s relegation rivals knowing what rides on the contest, Nicolas Schmid should return in goal.
Matt Ritchie was rested at Hillsborough and is likely to return to the action this weekend, in place of Harvey Blair despite his goal against the Owls. Blair, however, is bound to play some part from the bench.
Josh Murphy, Conor Shaughnessy and Colby Bishop are all likely to continue their respective roles, with Murphy aiming to add to his league-high 14 assists, and Bishop with his 11 goals.
Connor Ogilvie has missed just one league game of 45 all season long, and is set to surpass 4,000 Championship minutes played when he faces off against the Tigers – expected at left-back.
Pompey under pressure to do relegation fighters a favour
Portsmouth have become acquainted with the likes of Derby County, Stoke City and Luton Town throughout this season as the relegation battle has rolled on.
As each game kicks off on Saturday lunchtime, Mousinho knows it would be a difficult explanation to rest players, and aside from anything else, Pompey are desperate to finish well in front of their supporters and families in the Fratton sunshine.
Hull, under the stewardship of former Southampton boss Ruben Selles no less, approach this game looking doomed to the drop, and must pull a rabbit out of the hat somewhere.
| Portsmouth – last four | Date |
| Sheffield Wed 1-1 Portsmouth | 26 April |
| Portsmouth 1-0 Watford | 21 April |
| Norwich 3-5 Portsmouth | 18 April |
| Portsmouth 2-2 Derby | 12 April |
Should Pompey win on the final day, the Tigers – with Abu Kamara in tow – will be down to League One.
The Blues can finish with 56 points from their first Championship season back with victory this weekend, and could still even finish as highly as 13th in the table.
Onto Saturday.