[long_read]

Portsmouth have one win in their last nine matches in all competitions, that coming as they defeated Peterborough in the EFL Trophy.

League Two Bury are up in midweek in the same competition, but the route to Wembley won't be warmly received if Pompey can't find a way to bag three points tomorrow again Barnsley.

They last won a league game on New Year's Day, beating rock bottom Wimbledon 2-1. Since then they've fallen from grace, going from top to fourth and looking increasingly unlikely to bag a top two spot.

Tomorrow's opponents Barnsley have been in sensational form and have closed a double digit points gap to go clear in second place.

It's last chance saloon for Kenny Jackett's side tomorrow. Anything less than a win leaves their automatic promotion hopes in tatters.

They've got a few different options they can try out, but we think the XI we've selected will give them the best chance of downing the Tykes.

 

[snack_break title="Craig MacGillivray"]

33 league games played by Pompey, 33 starts for the stopper.

The 26-year-old is not going to be dropped, not for one second.

[snack_break title="Anton Walkes"]

The Spurs loan player can add vibrancy and pace to the wide defensive areas, although he only has 15 starts to his name this season.

He spent time with Atalanta United in the MLS last season and has slowly, but surely settled back into the English game. There's a sense of more to come from the youngster.

[snack_break title="Lee Brown"]

Brown will surely play full back this weekend, he's started 31 games this season and is experienced and dependable.

Key players such as Brown are the ones who need to be at their best, especially with the threat Barnsley pose in attacking areas.

[snack_break title="Matt Clarke"]

One of the best defenders outside the top two divisions, Matt Clarke will be the first name on the team sheet.

If they don't go up this season, expect him to move on and seek his fortune at a higher level. He's got a big future ahead of him, with or without Pompey.

[snack_break title="Christian Burgess"]

Burgess is a regular at the back for Pompey, approaching 150 appearances for the club.

They've conceded some weak goals of late, not least in the 3-3 draw with Southend, but Burgess can still be relied upon to put his body on the line.

[snack_break title="Tom Naylor"]

27-year-old Naylor was a key player for Burton Albion and it's been the same since he switched to Fratton Park.

His role is to hold the defence and the attacking players together, getting from box to box and trying to be the heart beat of the team.

[snack_break title="Ben Close"]

Close has only started 12 matches this season, but he's been in the squad of late and will likely be involved tomorrow.

He sits in front of the back four with the set up very much about not conceding. It's an approach that worked well in the first half of the season, but a failure to get three points tomorrow might enforce a change.

[snack_break title="Ronan Curtis"]

Curtis started the season on fire, but he's faded as we've gone through the winter months.

He's even had a spell on the bench, but he's got star quality. He can chip in with a goal and in the absence of players such as Andre Green and David Wheeler, he has to start.

[snack_break title="James Vaughan"]

Vaughan was a January signing and although he's not started as yet, we think it's time he got a chance.

He replaced Gareth Evans in the 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers and it's time he got 90 minutes under his belt to show what he can do.

[snack_break title="Jamal Lowe"]

Jamal Lowe could be hot property this summer. His pace is frightening and since climbing out of non league he's been improving and developing.

He's a threat if he can get ahead of the striker and he's assured a starting spot.

[snack_break title="Oliver Hawkins"]

Brett Pitman has been frozen out of the picture and that leaves Hawkins fighting Omar Bogle for the striker's role.

Hawkins hasn't scored a lot this season, but he's a decent player who should be afforded a starting spot this weekend.

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