Pompey head to the town that's the home of jump racing this week hoping to clear another tricky hurdle in their race for the League Two winner's enclosure.

Cheltenham Town lie in wait and the short history between the clubs points to a draw - like all four of their previous meetings - but the Blues will want a return of three points not one.

Pompey will begin the afternoon in fourth place, three points behind third-placed Doncaster, while Cheltenham are 21st - though their recent form is better than that position suggests.

Town have only lost one of their last six and did well to win at Crewe in a midweek FA Cup replay. But Paul Cook's men are in good league form themselves, having beaten Cambridge and Mansfield in their last two without conceding a goal.

Cook said he felt Cheltenham would see the game as a 'free hit'. He told The News: ‘I would imagine they will see it as a free-hit with us going there and our large travelling support. They will be saying “let’s go again” after their win at Crewe.

‘I watched them on Tuesday night. It was the first time I have had an opportunity to see them. They were excellent on the night. Crewe is a difficult place to go. We could only draw there. I think Plymouth rode their luck there on Saturday because they went 2-0 down and Crewe missed a penalty.

‘Cheltenham were very, very comfortable winners on the night. ‘They could have won by more. I was very impressed with Cheltenham. ‘I think it will be a very tough game for us but I’ve got great confidence in our team.’

Follow @Pompey_Fans

Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles

Photo: Action Images

Portsmouth Polls