Wigan Athletic take on Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Tuesday, as they will be looking to formally secure promotion and win the League One title with a victory.
Defeated by Wigan in the reverse fixture back at the start of the season, Portsmouth have failed to mount a promotion challenge of their own and even improved form since the turn of the year has failed to lift them into contention.
Danny Cowley’s side picked up a 3-1 victory over Gillingham on Saturday, as they recorded a third win from four matches, which has seen them sit ninth in the table.
Despite a dominant display, Pompey’s campaign has effectively been over for several weeks, yet a recent run of 10 points from 12 available demonstrates the squad are still keen to impress Cowley before a probable summer clearout.
Only two points short of matching last season’s final tally which saw them finish eighth, Portsmouth must win both of their remaining games to have any chance of leapfrogging Oxford United and matching that position when the campaign concludes next weekend.
Still struggling to cross the line and complete their promotion mission, Wigan’s winless streak stretched to a fourth game at the weekend, following a 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle.
Though Jack Whatmough’s second-half equaliser was enough to deny the Pilgrims a victory, Wigan are are on a run of just two points from the last possible 12 and are yet to secure their promotion back to the Championship.
With one game left to play, the third-placed Milton Keynes Dons can only draw level if they win on the final day, but with an advantage of seven on goal diference, Wigan are assured of achieving their aim, even if their fail to defeat Portsmouth. A win and a draw from their remaining matches would guarantee the title.
Portsmouth vs Wigan Athletic head to head
The two teams have previously met on 16 occasions across all competitions, where Portsmouth have claimed eight victories while Wigan have won six, and they have drawn in two. Portsmouth have scored 19 goals and conceded 13. In their last five meetings, both have won twice while they have drawn once.
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Portsmouth 26/08/17
Portsmouth 2-1 Wigan Athletic 02/04/18
Portsmouth 1-2 Wigan Athletic 26/09/20
Wigan Athletic 0-1 Portsmouth 05/04/21
Wigan Athletic 1-0 Portsmouth 28/08/21
Portsmouth latest home form
Portsmouth have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their nine most recent matches. In their last home game, they managed to defeat Gillingham 3-1 in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded three.
Portsmouth 4-0 Accrington Stanley 05/03/22
Portsmouth 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers 19/03/22
Portsmouth 3-0 Rotherham United 12/04/22
Portsmouth 3-2 Lincoln City 15/04/22
Portsmouth 3-1 Gillingham 23/04/22
Portsmouth latest away form
Portsmouth have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having failed to win in any of their five most recent matches. In their last away game, they drew 1-1 with Morecambe in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored two goals and conceded four.
Ipswich Town 0-0 Portsmouth 12/03/22
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Portsmouth 15/03/22
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth 05/04/22
Cheltenham Town 1-0 Portsmouth 09/04/22
Morecambe 1-1 Portsmouth 18/04/22
Wigan Athletic latest home form
Wigan have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. In their last home game, they drew 1-1 with Plymouth Argyle in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded five.
Wigan Athletic 4-1 Morecambe 19/03/22
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Bolton Wanderers 02/04/22
Wigan Athletic 3-0 Accrington Stanley 05/04/22
Wigan Athletic 1-2 Cambridge United 16/04/22
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Plymouth Argyle 23/04/22
Wigan Athletic latest away form
Wigan have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their seven most recent matches. In their last away game, they drew 2-2 with Ipswich Town in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded four.
Milton Keynes Dons 1-1 Wigan Athletic 12/03/22
Crewe Alexandra 0-2 Wigan Athletic 15/03/22
Lincoln City 1-3 Wigan Athletic 09/04/22
Burton Albion 0-0 Wigan Athletic 12/04/22
Ipswich Town 2-2 Wigan Athletic 19/04/22
Portsmouth news
Kieron Freeman with an ankle injury, alongside Jayden Reid and Reeco Hackett both with knee injuries, are set to be unavailable for Portsnouth on Tuesday.
Connor Ogilvie was forced off against Gillingham but should be fit to start at left-back, while Sean Raggett will once again lead the back four for the hosts.
Wigan Athletic news
Wigan could again be without winger James McClean and centre-back Curtis Tilt for the contest due to injury, while long-term absentee Charlie Wyke is also sidelined.
Striker Josh Magennis overcame a knock to feature on the bench at the weekend and could be involved at some stage in the Tuesday’s game.
Prediction and Odds
While Wigan will be looking for a victory to secure their promotion to the Champioship, they face a Portsmouth side who have been strong at Fratton Park this season.
The visitors rarely fail to score and we believe they are capable of claiming at least a draw to confirm their promotion.
Odds: 1 2.25 X 2.05 2 2.20
Probable outcomes
Portsmouth 0-0 Wigan Athletic
Portsmouth 1-1 Wigan Athletic
Portsmouth 2-2 Wigan Athletic
Portsmouth 0-1 Wigan Athletic
Portsmouth 1-0 Wigan Athletic