Portsmouth have a chance to seal the League One title this weekend as they travel to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, hoping to pick up all three points.
A stunning strike from Owen Moxon last Tuesday earned a vital point for Pompey at Fratton Park, a goal which would seemingly have a domino effect as Derby County went on to take merely a point at Adams Park in a goalless draw with Wycombe Wanderers last night.
Owen Moxon with a worldie to draw Portsmouth level
What a way to score your first goal for the club!#pompey
— The Real EFL (@RealEFLSocial) April 2, 2024
The result has left John Mousinho’s side seven points clear at the top of the table heading to the Toughsheet Community Stadium this weekend. Furthermore, Pompey’s game in hand takes place next Tuesday at home against a Barnsley team that have managed just one win in five matches.
Nevertheless, Saturday’s clash in Greater Manchester won’t be an easy one. Bolton smell blood after the Rams dropped points in back-to-back league games and an unprecedented victory on the south coast could take them above their promotion rivals.
The last time these two sides met was a fortnight before Christmas when goals from Conor Shaughnessy and Kusini Yengi sealed the win for Portsmouth. Mousinho will be hoping for more of the same in the reverse fixture.
In addition, the league leaders have been handed a “real boost” ahead of the top-of-the-table clash, according to head coach Mousinho, as Tom Lowery is set for a return to the squad, having not featured for the side since February.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the 37-year-old said [quotes via The News, Portsmouth]:
“With Tom, you can probably recognise how highly we rate him. When he was fit, we brought him into the team. He started the first game of this season and when he’s been available, we’ve pretty much got him back into the side as quickly as we possibly could.
“He’s had a fantastic part to play. He’s not played a huge amount, but when he has been involved, his performance levels have been right up there, so to have him back is a real boost.”
Writer’s View
While Portsmouth have had a tremendous campaign in England’s third tier, Lowery will be disappointed in his own individual contribution. The midfielder has made just eight appearances this term for the champions-elect, having completed a full 90 only twice in games against Port Vale and Carlisle United.
Getting the 26-year-old back into the squad is a huge boost for Pompey, as Mousinho said, even if the title is already wrapped up. Nevertheless, it would be good to see Lowery back out on the pitch in preparation for Championship football next season.
Deputy Head of Writing
