Colchester United vs Portsmouth Preview

How will new look Pompey fare on the road? After a pulsating first game of the League One season, Pompey make their first ever trip to the Weston Community Homes Stadium to play Colchester United. Team News Jordan Obita is set to start for Pompey having signed on a month's loan from Reading today, whilst Liam Walker may also start if he receives international clearance in time to play. U's manager John Ward is set to name an unchanged side to the team that held Preston to a goalless draw at Deepdale on Saturday. The Match After a good first half performance against Bournemouth on Saturday, it will be interesting to see how Pompey's fitness holds for the first away game of the season. One of the major reasons for our struggles last season was the dire form away from home that saw just three victories and many disheartening performances. If this season is to be a success then we simply can't repeat the same dreadful performances at the likes of Hull, Watford and Brighton last year and this game should be a good barometer of just what the travelling Portsmouth supporters are in for this season. Colchester strike me as a solid side that shouldn't be in danger of relegation and may even challenge for promotion under the steady stewardship of John Ward. They have some good players in Anthony Wordsworth who was their top scorer last season playing in centre midfield whilst Freddie Sears and Clinton Morrison also have some Premier League experience and should be a handful. I'm really hopeful that Liam Walker will receive his international clearance and play his first competitive match tomorrow. He was the outstanding player during pre-season and good things are expected of him. Like Saturday, this match will be difficult to predict but another that I am personally looking forward to. Despite the issues off the pitch, I am starting to get the bug back. Click here for the League One Lowdown on Colchester. Click here for an interview with U's fan Daniel ahead of tomorrow's match. Predicted Starting Line-Ups Colchester GK: Mark COUSINS RB: Brian WILSON CB: Tom EASTMAN CB: Magnus OKUONGHAE LB: Michael ROSE CM: Marcus BEAN CM: Anthony WORDSWORTH CM: John-Joe O'TOOLE RWF: Ian HENDERSON LWF: Freddie SEARS CF: Clinton MORRISON Pompey GK: Mikkel ANDERSEN RB: Mustapha DUMBUYA CB: Kevin LONG CB: Paul CONNOLLY LB: Jon HARLEY RM: Jordan OBITA CM: Lee WILLIAMSON CM: Brian HOWARD LM: Jack COMPTON CF: Izale McLEOD CF: Luke RODGERS Last Time: Colchester United 3 Portsmouth 0 (FA Cup First Round - 22/11/1980) Trevor Lee, Ian Allison and Kevin Bremner all scored as Pompey were soundly beaten in their last ever visit to Layer Road. My Prediction Once again I'll sit on the fence. As long as the players don't tire like they did on Saturday I think we're good enough for a draw. Colchester United 1 Portsmouth 1

Source: FOOTYMAD