Preview: Portsmouth vs. Wycombe Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers square off on Sunday afternoon left to battle for eighth place in the League One standings.

A poor run of results during the run-in has cost each of these sides a chance to contest the playoffs, the clubs sitting seven and eight points adrift of the top six.

Match preview

Having lost just four of his opening 22 matches as a manager, John Mousinho cannot be too disappointed with the start of his reign at Fratton Park.

Nevertheless, six draws from the last eight matches have left Portsmouth well adrift of the top six having previously gotten themselves back into contention.

On a positive note, however, the South Coast outfit are undefeated in 10 games, recording a 1-1 draw away at Derby County in their last fixture.

Conceding just four times in seven games, any defensive issues that Portsmouth may have had appear to be resolved, and Mousinho will now want to end the season on a high note.

Although Pompey have lost just three times at Fratton Park this campaign, they have posted 10 draws, that total second only to the remarkable 14 registered by Lincoln City.

Wycombe had hoped to be on an upward trajectory of their own when they brought back Matt Bloomfield to take the place of long-serving boss Gareth Ainsworth.

However, the Chairboys have dropped out of promotion contention under his replacement, who has collected just 15 points from his 14 matches in charge.

Defeats at home to Lincoln City and Cheltenham Town will not do anything to convince supporters that Bloomfield can replicate Ainsworth's achievements at Adams Park.

That said, Bloomfield will likely be handed time to stamp his own mark on the club in the summer, and a statement victory at a potential rival for promotion in 2023-24 would represent the kick-start that he needs.

Team News

Although Portsmouth have little to play for, Mousinho could stick with the same side in order to give them the best chance of ending the season with a prolonged undefeated run.

As it stands, Zak Swanson and Jade Jay Mingi are the only two absentees for the meeting with Wycombe.

Bloomfield will likely look to freshen up his Wycombe side with Lewis Wing expected to return in central midfield.

David Wheeler is also in line to return in the final third, with Chem Campbell potentially dropping out ahead of his return to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Macey; Rafferty, Bernard, Towler, Ogilvie; Pack, Morrell; Lane, Pigott, Jacobs; Bishop

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Cartwright; McCarthy, Forino, Tafazolli, Jacobson; Wing, Scowen; Wheeler, McCleary, Hanlan; Vokes

We say: Portsmouth 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers

While Portsmouth have struggled to get wins on the board of late, Wycombe seem to have mentally checked out on this season. With that in mind, we can only back Pompey to edge this contest, sealing the more respectable finish in the process.

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