Joe Morrell starts: The predicted Portsmouth XI to play Crewe on Tuesday night | OneFootball

Portsmouth have every chance of sneaking into the League One play-off spots come the end of the season and if they want to ensure they are in that top six, they’ll need to pick up another win against Crewe in midweek.

Pompey have slowly crept up the table and with games in hand on some of the teams around them, they can close the gap soon between themselves and sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday. Every point matters though now and they can’t afford to let their performance levels slip against Crewe.

Danny Cowley’s side though have not lose in any of their last five games and will want to keep that fine run of form going for as long as they can. If they do, then the play-off race will be in their hands.

With that in mind then, who could Pompey choose to start their next game against Crewe?

Considering their emphatic 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley last time out, Portsmouth would be wise to keep exactly the same team if they can.

Whilst Michael Jacobs will certainly be back in contention when he is fit again, it seems as though they could still be waiting on his return to action. In the interim though, Pompey are handling his absence well.

On one wing, they have Mahlon Romeo who managed an assist last time out and continues to look threatening with the ball at his feet. On the other flank, Connor Ogilvie has also looked bright and has provided a spark for the club.

Quiz: Are these 19 Portsmouth facts genuine or fake?

1 of 19

1. Lee Brown scored Portsmouth's first League One goal in 2021/22

Genuine Fake

One enforced change though will come in attacking midfield, with Marcus Harness shown a red card in the last game. It means he will now have to sit out this fixture and that could see Ryan Tunnicliffe pushed further up the pitch again with Joe Morrell filling in centrally. Tunnicliffe was exceptional last time around with two assists and a goal so it would be a shame to shift his position but he is arguably the best suited to come further forward.

At the back, it should be similar to the Accrington game though. Sean Raggett stood out by providing a goal in that clash and Hayden Carter looked equally solid too. There are likely then no changes needed in that backline.