Portsmouth vs Leeds: Whites can prevail over Pompey
&w=707&quality=100)
- Leeds have led at the break and won in two of their last three away fixtures
- Portsmouth have kept just one clean sheet in their last six home matches
- Recommended bet: Leeds-Leeds double result
Leeds were on a five-game winning sequence before last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to West Brom and they will be striving to get their title push back on track when taking on Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Daniel Farke’s side were frustrated to drop points last weekend but they are in a strong position in the promotion race and have not experienced a league defeat since a 1-0 reverse at Blackburn at the end of November.
Portsmouth’s main aim is to consolidate in the second tier and they are on course after accumulating 39 points from 35 fixtures.
The south coast side have registered eight of 10 league wins on home soil but they will be looking to bounce back after last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Luton.
Team news
West Ham loanee Freddie Potts has recovered from a calf injury and is pushing for his first appearance in four weeks. However, Portsmouth remain severely hampered by injuries with Callum Lang, Hayden Matthews, Jordan Williams, Conor Shaughnessy, Rob Atkinson, Jacob Farrell and Ibane Bowat out of contention.
Leeds are in a healthier state with no fresh injuries reported since the 1-1 draw at home to West Brom. However, Ethan Ampadu (knee) is not expected to be available.
&w=707&quality=100)
The stats
Six of Portsmouth’s last eight home games have featured at least three goals.
Both teams have scored in four of Portsmouth’s last six home fixtures.
Leeds have triumphed in seven of their last nine Championship games.
Leeds have started the scoring in 10 of their last 14 league matches.
Leeds have scored at least two goals in five of their last six league fixtures.
Prediction
Leeds had to come from behind in recent high profile victories over promotion rivals Sunderland (2-1) and Sheffield United (3-1) but they can make a faster start against Portsmouth and pick up an important three points.
Consistent home form has been a key factor in Leeds’s promotion push, but the Yorkshire side have also shown plenty of resilience on their travels and have taken maximum points on their last three Championship road trips.
Farke’s side will have respect for Pompey, who have recorded eight wins at Fratton Park, including notable successes over promotion hopefuls Coventry (2-1) and Middlesbrough (2-1).
But Portsmouth are being hampered by injuries to several senior players, including top scorer Callum Lang, who was their two-goal hero in a 3-3 draw away to Leeds on the opening weekend of the season.
Pompey were toothless in last Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Luton and may struggle to seriously challenge Leeds, who should forge ahead by the break and go on to secure their 23rd league win of the campaign.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
