Portsmouth vs Southampton Preview: Saints to edge South Coast clash?

Southampton make the short trip to rivals Portsmouth in the Carabo Cup this week with a place in the fourth round up for grabs, as well as bragging rights between the two sets of supporters.

These sides have not met since 2012 and a lot has changed for both Portsmouth and Southampton since then. Pompy have been struggling to get out of League One and missed out on a place in the Championship last season when losing in the play-ff semi-finals against Sunderland. The Saints have established themselves as a Premier League club under new manager Ralph Hasenhüttl but were beaten against Bournemouth on Friday evening.

 

Portsmouth vs Southampton Preview  – Carabao Cup 24/09/19

Portsmouth have made a poor start to the season and find themselves down in 20h place in the League One table. Another tilt at promotion was expected for them this season but that already looks more unlikely given their start. Their last home match was a 2-2 draw with Burton Albion and last weekend they were beaten 1-0 at Wycombe Wanderers thanks to a late Akinfenwa penalty. Pompy had Ellis Harrison sent off with 35 minutes left.

Southampton were beaten by another team from the South Coat in Bournemouth on Friday Night Football, leaving them with seven points from their opening five Premier League fixtures.

Saints to book their place in round four

Southampton edged past Fulham in the last round of this competition, and I’m predicting a simlar result this time around. That was a 1-0 victory and although the Saints don’t tend to score many goals, one or two should be enough at Fratton Park. In their seven fixtures so far this season, Southampton have only scored two goals once. Danny Ings and Shane Long aren’t hitting the target regularly but we’re still expecting a victory for the Saints here.

Portsmouth have to focus on their League One campaign and so despite pulling off a brilliant 2-0 win at QPR in the last round, this will probably be the end of the road for Portsmouth in this year’s Carabao Cup tournament.

The odds for Southampton to beat Portsmouth are 5/6 with Betfred.

 

Portsmouth vs Southampton Prediction – Southampton to win 1-0

As explained, I’m not expecting many goals in this match and so a 1-0 Southampton victory could be the best bet for the match. The Saints have won their last two away matches 1-0 including a win at Fulham in the second round of this competition. Portsmouth’s poor form and start to the season should continue in this one as they look to focus all their attention on their League One Campaign.

Portsmouth vs Southampton Betting Tips

Southampton to win – 5/6 with Betfred.

Southampton to win 1-0 – 7/1 with Betfred.

 

 

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