THE empty stands are likely to mean home advantage will go out of the window, admits Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett.

A full Fratton Park, where the home side did not lose in Sky Bet League One this season, would have been an intimidating place tonight.

But the coronavirus pandemic means Oxford United will head south for their play-off semi-final first leg without worrying about having to quieten the crowd.

Jackett told The News: "Fratton Park is certainly going to change.

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“You could say travelling, familiarity and crowd are the things which go into building up what is a definite home advantage. No doubt.

“Whether that changes the statistics by having no home crowd there can be debated. I would say it probably will.”

Only Sunderland and Ipswich Town had larger average attendances in League One this season than Pompey.

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Club captain John Mousinho said: “When we drew 1-1 at their place the fans were really on Kenny Jackett’s back at the end, despite the fact I thought they battered us for 90 minutes.

Oxford Mail:

  • John Mousinho celebrates Oxford United's late equaliser at Portsmouth in November   Picture: David Fleming

“That game and the two previous games I’ve been there with Oxford when we’ve lost the crowd was a definite factor.

“They get behind the lads and it’s very difficult playing there.

“If you were asking me would I rather play at Fratton Park full or empty, then it’s 100 per cent empty. That should benefit us.

“They will still be a good side who will be intense, but at home I think they have used the fans to their benefit for many years.

“From my point of view I think it will be a positive.”