Burnley vs Portsmouth predictions: Clarets can cruise to a comfortable win
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- Burnley have scored the first goal in four of five league matches this season
- Portsmouth have gone six games without a victory
- Recommended bet: Burnley-Burnley Half Time/Full Time
Burnley had to dig in to achieve a 1-0 victory away to Leeds last weekend but they will face a very different challenge when taking on newly-promoted Portsmouth at Turf Moor.
Scott Parker’s side travelled to Leeds after a couple of disappointing results but they finished the day in fourth place after defeating one of their main promotion rivals.
Burnley had to defend for long periods at Elland Road but the onus is on them to prise open Portsmouth, who are struggling to adjust to life at a higher level.
Pompey’s main aim is to consolidate in the Championship but they have slipped to second from bottom after three draws and two defeats.
Team news
On loan Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys must serve a one-match ban after picking up two yellow cards in last Saturday's 1-0 win at Leeds.
Mike Tresor (leg), Hannes Delcroix, Hjalmar Ekdal (both muscle strain) and Jordan Beyer (hamstring) are doubts and Ameen Al Dakhil (muscle strain), Nathan Redmond and Aaron Ramsey (both knee) are definite absentees.
Midfielder Jacob Farrell (knee) is a doubt and may have to wait a little longer to make his Portsmouth debut. Pompey are short of options up front with Kusini Yengi (groin) and Mark O’Mahony (bone bruising) joining Colby Bishop (heart surgery) on the sidelines.
The stats
Burnley have scored the first goal in four of their five Championship matches this season.
The Clarets have netted in each of their last seven home fixtures.
Two of Burnley’s last three home wins have been by a 5-0 scoreline.
Portsmouth have gone six games without a victory.
Three of Pompey’s five league games have featured at least four goals.
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Prediction
Burnley experienced a dip in results either side of the September international break but they triumphed 1-0 at Leeds last Saturday and can follow with a home win over struggling Portsmouth.
Clarets’ manager Scott Parker was proud of his players after their efforts at Elland Road and he will expect them to go from strength to strength.
The final days of the transfer window were a tricky period for Burnley, who were involved in a lot of late business.
But the Lancashire side have assembled a strong squad which gives them every chance of bouncing back from last season’s relegation.
Promoted Portsmouth spent the summer trying to upgrade their squad but, on the evidence of the first five games, they may not have done enough.
John Mousinho’s side are still searching for their first victory and they lost 3-0 at home to West Brom last Sunday without registering a shot on target.
Pompey have conceded three goals on three occasions already and they look ill-equipped to cope with Burnley, who should establish a half–time lead before cruising to victory.
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