By Steve Manning
Venue: Fratton Park, Portsmouth (Capacity: 20,620)
Competition: The Emirates FA Cup – Round Two
Previous results:
Pompey progressed to the second round after knocking out sixth-tier Hereford FC 3-1 at Edgar Street, The Dons, meanwhile, took on sixth tier Taunton Town and thrashed them 6-0 at Stadium MK to book their trip to the south coast.
Head to head:
Pompey wins: 4 Drawn: 2 Dons wins: 4 Pompey goals: 14 Dons goals: 13
Last Meeting:
15th January 2022 – EFL League One: Pompey 1 Dons 2 (at Fratton Park)
Newport County review:
The Dons negotiated safe passage into round three of the Papa John’s Trophy with a routine win over League Two Newport County, at Stadiummk.
Liam Manning’s side ran out 3-1 victors over Graham Coughlan’s Exiles to put their name in the third round draw, the final round before Northern and Southern sections unite in the Quarter final stage – and the competition goes national.
Manning’s men are still involved in all 3 cups they entered this season.
To read an extensive match report just visit www.mkdsa.org.uk.
How Pompey could line up?
Danny Cowley favours an old school 4-4-2 formation, with traditional full-backs that will push forward when the team is on the offensive.
Possible Pompey starting XI:
- 1. Josh Griffiths;
- 2. Zak Swanson, 20. Sean Raggett, 4. Clark Robertson (c), 6. Connor Ogilvie;
- 15. Owen Dale, 25. Jay Mingi, 7. Marlon Pack, 27. Josh Koroma;
- 9. Colby Bishop, 19. Dane Scarlett.
How Dons could line-up?
Not expecting much change here to be fair, there is scope for a 4-2-3-1 if Liam Manning decides to match Pompey’s back 4. Otherwise it’ll be the 3-4-3 variants that we are accustomed to.
Possible Dons starting XI:
- 1. Jamie Cumming;
- 5. Warren O’Hora, 3. Dean Lewington (c), 33. Zak Jules;
- 22. Henry Lawrence, 8. Ethan Robson, 6. Josh McEachran, 21. Daniel Harvie;
- 9. Will Grigg, 10. Mo Eisa, 30. Matt Dennis
One’s to watch:
Dane Scarlett – Pompey: Pompey loanee Scarlett is highly rated by his parent club.
Tipped to have a big future by his coaches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, some have compared his ability to former Dons loan man Troy Parrott. Dane’s blistering pace, and already decent ability on and off the ball is why I’m giving him this honour for the tie on Saturday.
Matt Dennis – Dons: Matt Dennis is becoming Liam Manning’s go-to man for cup goals.
His performances in the cup competitions this season point to this fact. You can see the confidence this young man is gaining in front of goal with every passing game.
If Manning is brave and rolls the dice against Pompey, he might insert Dennis into a front three with the Man on Fire, and Big game Mo. One to watch.
Score Prediction:
Portsmouth 1 MK Dons 2
This Cup tie again offers the briefest of respite from the relegation dog-fight that the club has found itself in.
It will be a very tight affair which could go either way in my opinion. A 2-1 win in Dons favour is my prediction here.
Goal scorers? Matt Dennis, and big game Mo Eisa are my picks to score in this tie.
Match Odds supplied by Oddschecker:
Pompey win: 5/6 Dons win: 10/3 Draw: 5/2
Dons to win 2-1: 12/1
Thanks for reading this Pompey v Dons preview, enjoy your road trip if you are heading down to Portsmouth, safe travels to you all.
COYDS!
Until Next Time, SM.
