All you need to know about League Two clash

Pompey have finally climbed into an automatic promotion place – the challenge now is to stay there.





Victory at Crawley on Tuesday night meant that they leapfrogged Luton and Carlisle into third spot in League Two.





They will look to build on that this weekend when they travel to face another side trying to exit the fourth tier.





Colchester are currently sitting ninth, but are just three points adrift of the play-off places with 11 games remaining.





Their form has tailed off slightly after a run of seven victories from eight games at the end of 2016 and start of 2017.





John McGreal’s men have collected a maximum haul just three times since, although they have triumphed in each of the past two matches on their own patch.





And Pompey will be wary of the fact that only leaders Doncaster can better their record of 10 home wins.





A brace from Gary Roberts – including one from the penalty spot – meant that the Blues came out on top when the sides met at Fratton Park back in August.









TEAM NEWS

Curtis Main (knee) is still sidelined, while Jack Whatmough is set to be out for around two weeks with a hamstring problem, but Amine Linganzi and Enda Stevens are both fit.





The hosts are reeling from an injury crisis, with Dean Brill (knee), Lloyd Doyley (knee), Tom Eastman (ankle), Jermaine Grandison (hip), Kurtis Guthrie (ankle), Denny Johnstone (knee), Frankie Kent (ankle), Doug Loft (Achilles), Tommy O’Sullivan (knee), Luke Prosser (knee) and Craig Slater (groin) all missing.





Richard Brindley (calf) and Tom Lapslie (groin) are both doubts, but former Blues loanee Alex Wynter could feature.









QUOTES

Read what Paul Cook has to say about Saturday’s game or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for pre-match video content.









HEAD TO HEAD

Overall

Pompey: 2 Wins

Colchester: 5 Wins

2 Draws





At Colchester

Pompey: 0 Wins

Colchester: 3 Wins

1 Draw









TICKETS

Pompey have sold their full allocation of tickets for this fixture and no more will be available to buy at the ground.









MATCH COVERAGE

Pompey PlayerHD subscribers can listen to live commentary from Weston Homes Community Stadium from 2pm on Saturday.





We will also have match updates on Twitter and the Pompey Wall





There will be post-match reaction on the website, Pompey PlayerHD and our official YouTube channel , with highlights to follow on Sunday.













BETTING

Pompey are 17/20 favourites with Sky Bet to claim all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 16/5





Click here to read our full betting preview and sign-up to www.skybet.com/pompey for great offers.









ALSO IN LEAGUE TWO

Barnet v Crawley

Carlisle v Cambridge

Crewe v Newport

Doncaster v Cheltenham

Exeter v Accrington

Leyton Orient v Grimsby

Luton v Stevenage

Mansfield v Plymouth

Morecambe v Yeovil

Notts County v Hartlepool

Wycombe v Blackpool









LAST MEETING