John Mousinho is facing some massive selection dilemmas, as his team aim to respond to back-to-back home defeats at Birmingham City.
Finding some attacking threat will be a foremost consideration, against the big-spending Championship new boys.
Josh Murphy is deemed ready to start, but is that what Mousinho will think is the right thing to do? Or will the key figure be used off the bench?
Then there’s Conor Chaplin’s role, with his impact off the right flank not what he or Pompey fans were hoping for after his summer window homecoming.
Makenzie Kirk or Colby Bishop in the No 9 position is another massive decision with Mousinho has to make, with John Swift returning from suspension and defensive considerations, too.
Here’s how we think the Pompey boss will go against Chris Davies’ side.
13. Sub 1 Ben Killip
Seems Killip's role as back-up to Josef Bursik is pretty well defined at present. Photo: Stephen Flynn
14. Sub 2 Hayden Matthews
Own goal defined his first league start of the season last weekend, but there's promise there in the Aussie's defensive qualities - no doubt about that. Photo: Simon Roe
15. Sub 3: Zak Swanson
Could easily play a starting role in the three games in eight days, but Williams just edging it at present. | Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages
16. Sub 4: Luke Le Roux
Still the next cab off the rank for defensive midfield duties, with South African quite possible needed to keep things sewn up against big spenders. Photo: Simon Roe