Portsmouth have failed to score in four of their last five home games vs Arsenal
Arsenal have won by at least two goals in each of their last four games vs Pompey
Recommended bet: Arsenal -1.5 on Asian handicap
Arsenal are the most successful team in FA Cup history but they will be preparing themselves for a tricky test against 2008 winners Portsmouth at Fratton Park in the third round on Sunday..
Mikel Arteta’s side were left frustrated by Thursday’s 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool, but they hold a healthy six-point lead at the top of the Premier League and have high hopes of going deep in three knockout competitions.
Fixtures are coming thick and fast for the north Londoners, who are approaching the third game of a manic nine-match January schedule.
But they have lost just two of 30 fixtures since the beginning of the season and will start as red-hot favourites against Pompey, who are facing a battle to retain their Championship status.
Fourth-bottom Portsmouth will be looking for a response after a 5-0 loss at Bristol City on New Year’s Day.
The latest Portsmouth vs Arsenal odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Hayden Matthews (ankle) has joined Josh Murphy, Callum Lang, Josh Knight, Connor Ogilvie, Thomas Waddingham and Florian Bianchini in the Portsmouth treatment room, but Marlon Pack and Colby Bishop are back in contention.
Piero Hincapie is a doubt for Arsenal after being forced off against Liverpool, while Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman are definitely sidelined.
The latest Portsmouth vs Arsenal odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Portsmouth have won just three of their last 15 games.
Pompey have gone 10 matches without keeping a clean sheet.
Arsenal have won their last three away games and are unbeaten in eight overall.
The Gunners have won two of their last three away fixtures without conceding a goal.
The latest Portsmouth vs Arsenal odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Arsenal were far from their free-flowing best in Thursday’s goalless draw against Liverpool but they should ease to a wide-margin success over Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.
Squad strength is going to be key for the Gunners, who face Pompey just three days before the away leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
But there are plenty of talented players waiting for an opportunity, including Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who all started the midweek match on the substitutes’ bench.
Portsmouth have had an extended break since losing 5-0 away to Bristol City and may decide to risk a number of their first-choice players.
However, they have won just six of 24 second tier fixtures and could find themselves out of their depth against the Premier League leaders.
Back Arsenal -1.5 on Asian handicap at 16/25 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Portsmouth vs Arsenal odds are available on LiveScore Bet
