Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has named an unchanged starting lineup for the Championship contest away to Bristol City. The decision, reported by Portsmouth FC, comes after the same eleven secured a victory on the road at Lincoln the previous week. The match at Ashton Gate sees Pompey looking to build on that result and improve their league standing of 15th, having taken three points from their first three games.
John Mousinho kept faith with the side that delivered a win at Lincoln, sending them out at Ashton Gate on Saturday. The manager's selection signals confidence in a group that has scored five goals but conceded six in the early season. With the team six points behind leaders Charlton, every match is important for building momentum.
Who is in the Portsmouth lineup?
The starting eleven remains identical to the previous outing. Will Schmid continues in goal behind a back four of Joe Devlin, Connor Arthur, Conor Shaughnessy, and Denver Swanson. Captain Marlon Pack anchors the midfield alongside Tom Shein. The attacking trio of Abu Kamara, Tino Segečić, and Josh Kavuma-McQueen will support striker Colby Bishop.
Two changes were made on the substitutes' bench. The fit-again duo of defender Regan Poole and forward Harvey Blair are included, providing fresh options. Their return offsets the absence of the departed Josh Knight and the injured Josh Murphy. The full bench consists of Bielica, Poole, Dia, Bailey, Adams, Swift, Blair, and Brooke-Smith Milovanović.
What is the current injury situation?
Josh Murphy's absence from the matchday squad is due to an injury, placing him on a list of currently sidelined players. That list, which can be tracked on the club's injuries page, also includes K. Anderson, J. Bursik, J. Farrell, M. Kosznovszky, and C. Ogilvie. The return of Poole and Blair to the bench is a positive step in managing the squad's fitness during a busy period.
The team's recent form reads LWL, highlighting the need for consistency. Securing a positive result at Ashton Gate would be a significant step before the next fixture, a home game against 21st-placed Derby on September 1st. Fans can view the full schedule on the fixtures page.
Which familiar faces are in the Bristol City squad?
The opposition lineup features a former Portsmouth favourite, with Jed Wallace named in the Bristol City starting side. Furthermore, two former Pompey loanees, Rob Atkinson and Cam Pring, were named among the home side's substitutes. Their presence adds a subplot to the Championship encounter.
Mousinho's consistent selection offers stability as Portsmouth seeks to climb the standings. The unchanged side now has the task of translating last week's away success into another positive result on the road. The focus will quickly turn to preparing for the visit of Derby County to Fratton Park in midweek.
