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We're Fratton favourites, but that means little

Pompey will start their FA Cup first round tie at home to Aldershot as firm favourites on Sunday - but boss Andy Awford will be taking nothing for granted.

The Conference side will be out to cause a shock when they make their first competitive visit to Fratton since 1982 - which was also for an FA Cup tie, and one they won.

Awford told the Pompey website: 'We’re normally favourites when we play here anyway, so that’s nothing new for us. We’ll approach the game no differently than we would if we were facing a team from League One or League Two.

'As far as I’m concerned it’s just another game that we need to win and it just happens to be against a side from one division lower. We’re not playing a Sunday League team — Aldershot are a very good, well-run side, with plenty of history.

'But home advantage is crucial for us and we’ll try to use it as much as we can to make sure our name’s in the hat for the draw on Monday night. The players have gained more confidence from the last few performances and we’ve been delighted with our home form — hopefully that will continue on Sunday.'

Pompey will be eithout midfielder James Dunne, who needs a surgeon to check out a knee problem and may need an op.

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