Preview: Burton Albion vs. Portsmouth - prediction, team news, lineups

Burton Albion welcome Portsmouth to the Pirelli Stadium on Tuesday and it is a contest that features two teams that have picked up the fewest points in League One in the last six games.

The sides are both on 12 points, with Burton in 15th place and Portsmouth sitting in 12th position.

Match preview

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Burton started the season impressively with three consecutive victories, but their progress has halted since then and they are now winless in their last six league games.

They have drawn three times in their previous six fixtures, but they enter this encounter off the back of two successive defeats.

At the weekend they lost 2-1 to Lincoln City and, despite Conor Shaughnessy grabbing a goal in the 86th minute, the Brewers could not salvage a point and they will now aim to avoid three consecutive defeats on Tuesday.

Although they are in a poor run of form, Burton have been more successful at home than they have been on their travels as eight of their 12 points have come at the Pirelli Stadium.

The Brewers have only lost once at home in League One this season, which will give Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side some confidence going into the encounter on Tuesday.

Like their opponents, Portsmouth started the season positively winning three consecutive games, but they are now winless in their last six league encounters.

Against Charlton Athletic at the weekend, Pompey took the lead on two occasions; first Ronan Curtis fired home from distance and Marcus Harness then restored their advantage after Sean Claire had levelled, but The Addicks equalised once again in the 87th minute when Josh Davison scored from close range.

That result means Danny Cowley's side have now drawn their last two games, although he will be aware that if Pompey are to threaten the playoffs they will need to pick up wins soon.

Portsmouth's strength has been their defence, as they have only conceded eight goals in the league this season and as a result of their defensive solidity, they have kept four clean sheets in League One this term.

However, one aspect of their campaign they would like to improve upon is their away form as Pompey have only won once away from home and that result came on the opening day against Fleetwood Town.

Team News

Burton Albion saw Jacob Maddox and Tom O'Connor return to the squad at the weekend, although the latter was an unused sub.

Maddox came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute against Lincoln, but he and O'Connor may have to settle for a place on the bench once again.

Hasselbaink also saw Adedeji Oshilaja return from injury at the weekend and the midfielder managed to play the full game and is likely to start on Tuesday.

Portsmouth are without Clark Robertson as the centre-back is out with a hip problem.

Conor Ogilvie could return to the squad after missing the last few matches with a groin injury.

Cowley adopted a back three against Plymouth and then used it once again against Charlton, so the expectation is that Pompey will line up with three at the back on Tuesday.

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Garratt; Brayford, Bostwick, Shaughnessy, Hamer; Morris, Oshilaja, Chapman; Akins, Powell, Jebbison

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Freeman, Raggett, Williams; Romeo, Tunnicliffe, Morrell, Brown; Harness, Curtis, Marquis

We say: Burton Albion 1-1 Portsmouth

Both sides are desperate for a win to end a poor run of form and Burton will hope to make use of home advantage, but they face a Portsmouth side who have drawn their last two games and we think that with both sides struggling for confidence that they may both be content with a point here.