Preview: Exeter City vs. Portsmouth - prediction, team news, lineups

Portsmouth will look to end a three-game winless run in all competitions when they travel to St James Park for Friday's League One meeting with Exeter City.

The Grecians, meanwhile, will have the chance to claim consecutive victories after enjoying a successful outing in their Boxing Day fixture against Wycombe Wanderers.

Match preview

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There will be a sense of relief around the Exeter squad after they ended a 13-game winless run in a dramatic Boxing Day fixture with Wycombe at St James Park.

Sam Cox opened the scoring in the 65th minute, before goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo saved Luke Leahy's stoppage-time penalty to secure Exeter's first league victory since September 16.

While the narrow victory would have provided a much-needed confidence boost, Gary Caldwell's side can ill-afford to rest on their laurels with just three points separating them from the bottom four.

They will now turn their attention to Friday's home meeting with Portsmouth, where they will have the chance to record consecutive home league victories for the first time in the 2023-24 season.

If they are to achieve that feat, Exeter will need to claim their first win over Portsmouth since picking up a 1-0 away victory in January 2017.

Pompey, meanwhile, will make the trip to Devon off the back of a three-game winless run, which began with a heavy 5-2 defeat to AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy.

After returning to league action with a 1-1 draw against Fleetwood Town, John Mousinho's side looked set to repeat that scoreline in their Boxing Day meeting with Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

Portsmouth thought they had done enough to collect a point when Paddy Lane found the net to cancel out Anthony Evans's opener, but his equaliser proved to be in vain, as Luke Thomas scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to condemn Pompey to a narrow loss.

After suffering their first away league defeat since March, Portsmouth saw their lead at the top of the table cut to four points.

With the promotion hopefuls looking to get back on track, they can draw inspiration from the fact that they have won four of their last five competitive matches against Exeter (D1).

Team News

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Exeter are still unable to call upon long-term absentee Demetri Mitchell, who is currently sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Forward Yanic Wildschut is also set to miss out after he was forced off in the opening stages of Tuesday's victory.

Ilmari Niskanen, who was brought on as Wildschut's replacement, is expected to come into the side to make his eighth league start of the season.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Regan Poole, Connor Ogilvie, Zach Swanson, Tom Lowery and Tino Anjorin.

Lane, who dropped down to the bench against Bristol Rovers, could be recalled to the starting lineup after he marked Tuesday's substitute appearance with a goal.

Portsmouth striker Colby Bishop will be looking to score against the Grecians for the second time this season after netting the only goal in August's narrow win.

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Sinisalo; Aimson, Diabate, Hartridge; Rankine, Carroll, Cole, Jules; Aitchison, Niskanen, Cox

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaugnessy, Sparkes; Morrell, Pack; Kamara, Robertson, Lane; Bishop

We say: Exeter City 0-2 Portsmouth

Despite experiencing three frustrating results, Portsmouth will still be pleased with their efforts in the first half of the season, and we think that they will get their promotion bid back on track against an Exeter side they have already beaten this season.

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