Portsmouth V Everton – Saturday 26th September

Portsmouth V Everton

Kick-Off: Saturday 26^th September – 12:45 GMT

Venue: Fratton Park

TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

Recent Form: LLLLL

Pompey fans must feel they’re are in one long nightmare at the moment, and one no alarm will get them out of. Portsmouth’s 2-0 defeat away at Aston Villa was a record, and it’s one that Pompey fans won’t be proud of. Villa beat Portsmouth in a comfortable manner to send Portsmouth to their sixth successive defeat of the season and, in the process, hand Portsmouth the record of the worst ever start by a team in the Premiership.

Hoorah, at least those down South have something to boast about… sorta. With the jokes aside, as this is far from a laughing matter at Portsmouth, the club is currently in disarray and has been ever since the season kicked off. They’ve rarely looked like picking up a point in any of their games this season and they barely caused Villa any problems last Saturday. Their defence is extremely vulnerable, their midfield doesn’t have enough creative quality while their forwards simply won’t cut it in this league. Have you ever seen a perfect recipe for disaster?!

The big players have left the club within the past year or so and mediocre Championship players have come in as makeshift replacements (Talk about taking two steps backwards). Paul Hart doesn’t have any managerial qualities, it would appear he doesn’t command the respect of the dressing and, more importantly, he’s not getting the right results, or any results for that matter. To solve their problems, or at least get on the road to recovery, Paul Hart must go. Until then, backing against Portsmouth looks the closest thing to finding money on the street.

We did find one positive about Portsmouth, just the one, and it’s not even something to do with Portsmouth, technically. It comes in the form of Jamie O’Hara. The spurs midfielder is on loan at the club, although, God only knows why he decided to put his neck and reputation on the line by choosing to spend a stint with Portsmouth. However, he’s been their only shining light and the kid has bags of spirit and determination. If only his work rate and team ethic could reflect onto others. He’s the only one fighting for the Pompey cause right now and he’s not even on the Portsmouth’s books. Others will need to follow the young lad by example if they want to end their dreadful run of six matches without a single point.

Everton

League Position: 13th

Recent Form: LLWLW

Everton have finally got into the swing of things of late. Their 3-0 win last Sunday at the expense of Blackburn was enough to lift Everton out of the relegation zone and up to 13^th in the table. That result should enable the confidence within the Everton dressing to grow and for Everton to now start pushing towards the upper reaches of the table.

David Moyes and Everton had made a less than convincing start to the season but the gaffer will be hoping their recent success will be the lift in morale the team do desperately needed. That win over Blackburn was just their second victory of the season after losing three of their first four fixtures. However, we mustn’t forget the importance of home advantage for the Toffees as Everton have lost in both their previous two away encounters, losing 1-0 at Burnley and 2-1 away at Fulham. A trip to Portsmouth does represent a much easier opportunity for David Moyes and Everton to notch up their first away success of the season but they haven’t faired too well on their travels so far to suggest that they will make this a stroll in the park.

Confidence is key in football and Everton are still lacking some. Their comfortable win at the weekend should be the confidence boost the players craved but there is still something missing from Everton’s play, probably a player who can create a chance out of nothing. They do posses a player of such talent but he’s currently on the injury table – Mikel Arteta. However, The Spaniard isn’t too far away from a recovery and his reappearance in the Everton fold couldn’t come any sooner for Everton fans.

Head-to-Head:

Portsmouth W: 4 Everton W: 5 Draws: 1

Everton may just edge the head-to-head record between the two but it’s Portsmouth who will be buoyed by the results last season. Pompey completed a league double over the Toffee’s last term, beating Everton 2-1 at Fratton Park and 3-0 at Goodison. However, so much has changed since then with the Portsmouth side barely recognisable from the one that beat Everton twice last season. Everton have failed to beat Portsmouth at Fratton Park in their previous three visits down South, with Portsmouth winning two of the last three meetings on home soil.

Over 2.5 Goals: 5 Under 2.5 Goals: 5

This may look evenly balanced but four of those five Over 2.5 games have come away from Fratton Park at Goodison. Just one of the last four encounters at Portsmouth has produced a few goals but that was the most recent game where Portsmouth beat Everton 2-1 last season. However, if you’re planning on having a punt on this game having a few goals then you’re best waiting for the reverse fixture as the previous three meetings at Goodison Park, the home of Everton, have finished with at least three or more goals.

Match Verdict: Everton to WIN – 15/13 Expekt

Despite Everton’s recent woes at Fratton Park in recent seasons, the fact that Portsmouth have lost all their quality within the past year or so makes the Southerner’s a terrible bet while Everton will be buoyed by their recent success which seen them beat Blackburn Rovers comprehensively at Goodison Park, 3-0. Portsmouth don’t have the pleasure of such a glorious result to build upon after losing all six of their Premiership fixtures. The confidence within the Pompey camp will be at an all time low and we wouldn’t even back them with free money, let alone our hard earned cash.

Match Odds:

Portsmouth – 14/5 Bet365

Everton – 15/13 Expekt

DRAW – 12/5 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Tip: Marouane Fellaini to Score Anytime -10/3 Boylesports