Preview: Portsmouth vs Leicester

On Sky

Leicester travel to Portsmouth for the second time in four days, hoping to add to their midweek victory over Steve Cotterill’s struggling side.

The Foxes knocked the south-coast side out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win at Fratton Park, but must now look to give their disappointing Championship season a timely boost.

Tuesday’s match saw City open the scoring for the first time this campaign in all competitions, a clear demonstration of the struggle for goals that the Foxes have endured.

Portsmouth however, sit rooted to the bottom of the division without a win in six matches so far, and are desperate for a win of their own.

Being the only side without a win in the Football League so far this term has seen a worrying start for Pompey, who have only found the net twice in the league.

The situation is somewhat less bleak for Paulo Sousa’s Leicester, but the Foxes sit just two places above Friday night’s opponents after a dismal opening.

Last weekend’s home defeat by QPR saw City fail to build on the excellent display against Cardiff, slipping the Foxes back into the bottom three.

Leicester travel to Fratton Park with an excellent record against Portsmouth, having lost just one meeting in the last 16 years against the hosts.

Vital Quotes:

Leicester manager Paulo Sousa:“I have a good squad and it is important to rotate them and see what level they are at this moment, and how they can help us.

“I was pleased with what I saw and I know we have some players who can help us to win.

“What I want to see is regularity in our game and for us to be consistent from the start to finish.”

Portsmouth Team News:

Midfielder Richard Hughes will serve the first of a two-match suspension after his red card in the midweek Carling Cup defeat.

Michael Brown is likely to be the man to take his place, while centre back Ricardo Rocha faces a late fitness test.

Player to watch: Liam Lawrence

Scored Portsmouth’s consolation midweek, and should provide Steve Cotterill with a welcome source of creativity over the season.

Signed on loan as part of the deal which saw Marc Wilson head to Stoke, Lawrence has experience at the highest level with both the Potters and the Republic of Ireland.

Leicester City Team News:

Chris Weale may return in goal for Leicester after his shoulder injury.

Miguel Vitor is battling for a first team spot at the heart of defence, while Yuki Abe, Paul Gallagher and Steve Howard are all vying for starts.

Player to watch: Steve Howard

Likely to start after Matty Fryatt’s disappointing performance against QPR, Howard has the ability to scare any Championship defences on his day.

Despite his limitations on the ground he still poses a significant aerial threat, with strength to worry any backline.

Match Facts & Stats

Last league meeting:

08/04/04 – Leicester 3-1 Portsmouth
Taylor og (6), Dickov (27), Scowcroft (71) – Quashie (66)

– City have had an incredible 111 attempts on goal this season – the most of any side in the Championship.

– Portsmouth’s last victory against Leicester was a 2-1 win at Fratton Park in 1996.

– The only side to have a worse attempts to goals ratio than City in the league so far this season is Portsmouth.

Ref Watch:

K D Hill

Match Prediction:

Good win midweek against struggling Portsmouth. I fancy us to do it again. Portsmouth 0-2 Leicester

Next Fixtures:

Tuesday 28th September:

Portsmouth: Bristol City (H)

Leicester: Norwich (A)