Preview: Cambridge United vs. Portsmouth - prediction, team news, lineups

League One leaders Portsmouth will attempt to claim an eighth successive victory in all competitons when they travel to the Abbey Stadium to face Cambridge United in Tuesday's League One contest.

In contrast to their opponents, the U's are experiencing a poor run of form after failing to win any of their last nine competitive matches.

Match preview

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Cambridge began the League One season in promising fashion after collecting four victories in their opening six matches.

However, since beating Reading 1-0 on September 4, Mark Bonner's side have gone seven league games without a victory, which has significantly contributed to a nine-game winless run in all competitions.

Having failed to score more than one goal in any of those nine outings, Cambridge need to find a cutting edge in the final third if they are to ignite an upturn in fortunes.

In their most recent outing, they ultimately drew a blank as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town, representing their fourth loss in five away matches.

The U's, who occupy 18th position, will have home advantage in their favour for Tuesday's contest, and they will be desperate to claim a league win at the Abbey Stadium for the fourth time this season.

While Cambridge may be struggling for victories, Portsmouth have had no such trouble, after they recorded a seventh straight win in all competitions at the weekend.

Their home meeting with Carlisle United looked to be heading towards a goalless draw, before Conor Shaughnessy scored a dramatic winner in the third minute of stoppage time.

Not only did the result extend Pompey's gap at the top of the table to three points, but it also preserved their current unbeaten run, which now stands at 24 league matches.

John Mousinho's side have been impressive at both ends of the pitch this term, conceding on just eight occasions to leave them with the best defensive record in the third tier, while they are also the third-highest scorers with 22 goals to their name.

After completing a league double over Cambridge last season, Pompey will be confident about their chances of recording another victory on Tuesday.

Team News

Cambridge are expected to be without the services of defender Harrison Dunk and forward Elias Kachunga due to injury.

After featuring as a substitute in Saturday's defeat, Sierra Leone international Sullay Kaikai could be brought into the starting lineup.

Fejiri Okenabirhie is set to retain his place up front, and the forward will be looking to add to his five-goal league tally for the season.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon the injured trio of Anthony Scully, Tom Lowery and Marlon Pack.

Christian Saydee could be in contention to start against Cambridge after playing the final 33 minutes of Saturday's victory.

Gavin Whyte missed the win over Carlisle due to illness, but there is a possibility that he could feature on the bench for the midweek trip.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Stevens; L. Bennett, R. Bennett, Morrison, Andrew; Digby, Thomas; Brophy, May, Kaikai; Okenabirhie

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Norris; Rafferty, Poole, Shaughnessy, Sparkes; Morrell, Robertson; Lane, Saydee, Kamara; Bishop

We say: Cambridge United 0-2 Portsmouth

The two sides enter Tuesday's encounter in contrasting form, and we think that a confident Portsmouth side will showcase their quality to claim a relatively comfortable victory against their hosts, who are winless in four competitive home games.

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