Weeks don't come much bigger than the one that's ahead of Pompey. At the start of it they are third in League One and one place outside the automatic promotion spots - by the end of it they could be anywhere from top to fifth.

The likelihood is they will be second, third and fourth but the key fact going into their final three games is that their destiny - at least, whether they clinch that second spot - is in their own hands.

If they beat Sunderland, Peterborough and Accrington they will be up - but of course, that's a big if. Even with seven straight League One wins behind them, needing another three inside eight days is a big ask.

On paper the trip to the Stadium of Light looks the toughest game of the three, though when was it ever easy to predict the difficulty or otherwise of Pompey games?

Peterborough and Accrington will also present stiff tests, with every likelihood the Posh will still be chasing the final play-off spot when they come to town.

Full-back Nathan Thompson says the Blues are in good shape ahead of the Stadium of Light showdown and says their recent form is helping them through their intense schedule. He told www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: 'When you’re winning it gives you more energy and you use the momentum to keep going. If we’d lost twice over Easter, then it would be tougher going all the way up to Sunderland. Instead we’re full of confidence.

'There’s a desire to keep going and I think we’ve shown the character and fitness levels in our squad in recent weeks. This team never knows when it’s beaten and we’ll always continue to plug away to try to get positive results.

'The boys deserve automatic promotion this season, but we have to keep working hard and see how it all pans out.

'It’s a huge game — I think it even eclipses the final of the Checkatrade Trophy because our aim at the start of the season was promotion. Everyone knows the importance of it and with the way Barnsley are going, we know we have to keep putting three points on the board.

'But we may have that psychological edge because of those two previous results against Sunderland this season. We’ve got ourselves into a really strong position now and it would be a crying shame if we let that slip away.'

Boss Kenny Jackett is in positive mood and told the club site: 'There are big stakes and the standard at the top of the division has been high, but our recent form has given us a chance. So we have to continue that if we can by trying to beat one of our direct rivals. It’s something I’m looking forward to.'

Omar Bogle and Jack Whatmough are the only injury absentees but Jackett must decide between Gareth Evans and Ronan Curtis in the attacking three and between Oli Hawkins and James Vaughan up front - with the rest of the side seemingly picking itself.

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