Pompey poised to finally break into division’s top two
Win could propel Blues into automatic promotion places
POMPEY stand on the brink of occupying League One’s automatic promotion spots for the first time in more than 22 months.
Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town visit Fratton Park tonight (7.45pm kick-off).
Should Kenny Jackett’s men earn a point or victory from another tough encounter, they could break into the division’s top two.
Not since February 2019 have Pompey resided in the automatic promotion positions.
That was before a 1-1 home draw with Doncaster Rovers – the match in which Jack Whatmough suffered a serious injury – nudged them down to third.
Ever since, Jackett’s troops have never been as high in League One.
Pompey are presently third, just one point behind secondplaced Lincoln City, albeit with a superior goal difference.
Lincoln host Steve Cotterill’s Shrewsbury Town tonight, while leaders Hull City – three points ahead of the Blues – travel to Blackpool.
Fleetwood, of course, have a significant say in whether Pompey can improve upon their position during this current round of matches.
They venture to the south coast on the back of a 1-0 victory at Swindon Town on Saturday which leaves them ninth. Nonetheless, Pompey could breach the top two – representing an encouraging landmark as their impressive form gathers pace.
Saturday’s 2-0 triumph at Ipswich Town lifted the Blues into third place for the first time since the end of February.
That was when they defeated Rochdale 3-0, only to lose that position when out of league action the following weekend – while preparing to face Arsenal in the FA Cup.
This is also only the second occasion since April 2019 that Pompey have been as high as third.
In that 2018-19 campaign, a 3-2 home defeat by Peterborough United effectively ended hopes of automatic promotion.
Despite the loss, Jackett’s troops remained third – only for a subsequent 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley in the final league fixture to dictate a fourth-placed finish.
The last time Pompey topped League One was also during that 2018-19 season – for threeand-a-half months.
Not since a 2-1 defeat at Oxford United in January 2019 have the Blues found themselves leading the table.
That could all change tonight, depending on the results of Hull, Lincoln and, of course, Pompey.