Hull City Vs Portsmouth Betting – Saturday 24th October

Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

Venue: The KC Stadium

Hull City

League Position: 18th

Recent Form: LLLWL

If matters were bad at Hull City before then matters have seriously took a turn for the worse after suffering yet another defeat. A trip to Fulham was never going to be easy for Hull but they never got going and they rarely troubled the Fulham goal. Hull’s defence has been leaking goals all season and Fulham were always due to score within 90 minute and they duly did so just before half-time. However, Phil Brown’s half-time rant obviously had no effect as Hull were just as bad in the second half and they were punished once more when Diomansy Kamara prodded into an empty Hull net to seal Hull’s fate and send them to their sixth defeat of the season.

Hull have already become a tad too familiar with their surroundings in the bottom three but they won’t get many easier opportunities to return to safe ground then a home game with bottom placed Portsmouth. In fact, six of Hull’s even points this season have come at The KC Stadium, both coming against sides in close proximity in Bolton & Wigan Athletic, and it’s clear for all to see that Hull with solely depend on their home form for survival this season.

Defending has been Hull’s biggest cause for concern this season, with the Tigers having already shipped a mammoth 22 goals whilst in league action. That makes for dreadful reading and to hear that they’re conceding on average 2.44 goals a game would make me a little light headed if i was a Hull fan. Fortunately I’m not, but the responsibility on getting Hull back to winnings ways, or at least picking up points, falls partly on the Hull supporters as they will need to give their players a warm reception as they come back to a happy hunting ground, sort of.

Hull need to improve in all areas of the pitch if they are to starting winning games again like last season. Their defence looks a shambles, their midfield lacks any backbone, although the return of Jimmy Bullard on Monday night was a good sight, while they have hardly been free-scoring, either. However, with that said, Hull have only failed to score once this season, that coming against Birmingham, but Hull actually scoring on more than one occasion in a game is a rare sight, just once in fact this season.

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

Recent Form: LLLWL

Paul Hart could only watch on as his battling troops were shot down again as Tottenham fired two goals past an inform David James last Saturday. Portsmouth did pull one back and, despite a valiant fightback, they failed to reduce the one goal deficit and their one game unbeaten run was diminished by a former employee in Jermaine Defoe. Neither Defoe nor Harry Redknapp were welcomed back with open arms but that bitter feeling will need to go to one side as Paul Hart eyes up an intriguing fixture which could see Portsmouth record their second win in as many games.

Although Portsmouth still find themselves rock-bottom of the league and with just one solitary win to their name, they have been putting in some tremendous performances. They bombarded the Spurs goal on Saturday and were might unlucky not to have levelled, with Dindane the main culprit after spurring several golden opportunities. Nevertheless, that was another fixture Pompey failed to pick up any points in, the eighth time that has happened this season and it’s an aspect of Portsmouth’s game that has to be put right, immediately.

The club are already starting to get stranded at the foot of the table but their recent displays have indicated that they will have more success in the points department. Their previous three outings in the league has seen a considerable improvement in Portsmouth attacking qualities, if only they could stick one of their many chances away in a game and they might just register a few more points. It’s quite unbelievable that Pompey have managed to score just two goals in their last two games as they dominated large periods in both encounters, losing 2-1 against Tottenham and beating Wolves 0-1.

Once their scoring issues are resolved, Portsmouth should be ok, or at least good for a recovery bid. The fans are becoming increasingly frustrated with the amount of chances that are being passed up in each game and, if the strikers don’t improve soon, the fans could get on their backs, something which could have a negative affect on Portsmouth’s revival.

Head-to-Head:

Hull City W: 0 Portsmouth W: 0 Draws: 2

The pair clashed for the very first time last season and it was honours even in both encounters. They played out a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park while the affair at The KC was a stalemate, ending in a dull 0-0 draw. Who will be the first to alter the record books and record a big victory over one another?

Match Verdict:- Hull City to WIN – 2.63 Boylesports

I know we have pinpointed a change in the wind down South at Portsmouth but if Hull are to put up a fight for their Premiership status then they will need to pick up plenty more points at home. This is the easiest home fixture they will get all season and anything other than all three points will be seen as a dreadful result and a missed opportunity. However, the same could also be said for Portsmouth, as Hull have been woeful in their recent games. This isn’t one of our more confident picks but Hull to edge out a battling Portsmouth.

Match Odds:

Hull City – 2.63 Boylesports

Draw – 3.4 SkyBet

Portsmouth – 2.9 PaddyPower

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Geovanni Anytime Goalscorer – 3.4 PaddyPower