Pompey heading for Oxford sell-out

Pompey fans cheering on the Blues against Ipswich on Tuesday night. Picture: Joe Pepler

Michael Appleton’s side arrive on the south coast on Saturday for a battle between the promotion rivals.

Blues followers will see victory on home turf as essential in closing the four-point gap on the third-placed U’s.

And they will be roared on by what is expected to be a capacity crowd of 18,931.

In terms of home supporters, only several seats with restricted views and some in the family section are presently unsold.

Yet Pompey’s ticket office anticipate these will also be snapped up before Saturday’s fixture (3pm).

As for Oxford, they have been allocated 2,600 seats in the Milton end.

Presently around 2,000 have been sold – a figure which also is expected to increase.

It adds up to the likelihood of eclipsing the previous highest Fratton crowd this season of 18,190 against Reading in the Capital One Cup. The attendance would also beat the August 2013 visit of Oxford which attracted 18,181 – Pompey’s highest since dropping into League Two in its current format.

When the sides met at the Kassam Stadium in September, the attendance was 9,093, with 2,459 away fans.

On that occasion, Adam McGurk’s stunning second-half strike earned the Blues a point following Liam Sercombe’s opener.

Yet the Fratton faithful will be hoping for victory on Saturday as they attempt to force their way into the top three of League Two.

Presently Plymouth top the League Two table, 11 points ahead of Paul Cook’s side, although having played two matches more.

They are level on points with Northampton, who have played one game more than the Blues.

In fourth are Bristol Rovers, who won 2-1 at Oxford last weekend.

Incidentally, all four have still to visit Fratton Park this season.

Meanwhile, tickets for the FA Cup fourth round visit of Bournemouth are currently on sale to season-ticket holders and shareholders.

Pompey’s 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town has ensured the fixture will be played at Fratton Park on Saturday, January 30.

However, it is not scheduled to be televised.

Seats are priced £20 for adults, £15 for seniors (61+) and young persons (17-22) and £10 for under 17s.

In addition, tickets are priced at £5 for juniors accompanied by an adult or senior.

Season-ticket holders and shareholders have until  10am on Monday, January 25 before they go on general sale.

Supporters who bought a ticket for Tuesday night’s third-round replay against Ipswich can also buy tickets from 10am on Friday, January 22.

This can be carried out either by phone or visiting the ticket office, bringing their Ipswich ticket as proof of purchase.