Pompey go to Gresty Road tomorrow looking to finally end one of the most miserable runs in modern English football.
Team News
Guy Whittingham may name an unchanged side after Tuesday's 1-1 darw with MK Dons although Shaun Cooper faces a fitness test as he bids to return to the starting eleven.
On-loan Newcastle midfielder Brad Inman is a major doubt for Crewe but Steve Davis is likely to make changes to his side after they were hammered by Hartlepool on Tuesday.
The Match
There has been some good news for Portsmouth Football Club this week with the Trust securing a loan from the council to buy Fratton Park and property developer Stuart Robinson completing his purchase of the land surrounding the ground.
So wouldn't it be great if a good week could turn into a great one with three points at Gresty Road tomorrow?
The first half performance against MK Dons was encouraging with David Connolly instrumental in Pompey's positive play.
More hope can be taken from the fact that Alex were battered by Hartlepool on Tuesday night, losing 3-0 at Victoria Park. They were also the worst team to have come to Fratton Park earlier in the season and so Pompey have a case for beating the Johnstone's Paint Trophy finalists.
However, Pompey's away performances recently have been dire and need a significant improvement if they are to finally break this wretched run.
Having not mustered a noteworthy attack in the last two away trips, a more positive approach against a lacklustre Crewe defence would be welcome.
Let's hope this positive week ends on the highest note possible.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Crewe
GK: Alan MARTIN
RB: Kevin MELLOR
CB: Harry DAVIS
CB: Mark ELLIS
LB: Matt TOOTLE
RM: Luke MURPHY
CM: Abdul OSMAN
CM: Byron MOORE
LM: Chuks ANEKE
CF: Mathias POGBA
CF: AJ LEITCH-SMITH
Pompey
GK: Simon EASTWOOD
RB: Yassin MOUTAOUAKIL
CB: Ricardo ROCHA
CB: Gabor GYEPES
LB: Dan BUTLER
RM: Liam WALKER
CM: Johnny ERTL
CM: Jed WALLACE
LM: Adam REED
CF: Patrick AGYEMANG
CF: David CONNOLLY
Last Time: Crewe Alexandra 1 Portsmouth 1 (Division One - 16/03/2002)
Peter Crouch gave Pompey the lead but Rob Hulse soon equalised in an eventful first half. Neither side could find a winner but the result meant Pompey were safe whilst Alex would end up relegated at the end of the season.
My Prediction
Despite the good week, I cannot back my team to win away from home after two extremely lacklustre showings at Oldham and Hartlepool. We'll have to wait another week for the winless run to end.
Crewe Alexandra 2 Portsmouth 0
Source: Fratton Faithful
Source: FOOTYMAD
