Portsmouth V Manchester United Betting – Saturday 28th November

Portsmouth V Manchester United

Kick-off: Saturday 28th November – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Fratton Park

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

Recent Form: LDWLL

It will be difficult to back Portsmouth with any real confidence after the week they’ve had. The 1-0 defeat to Stoke City on Sunday led to the departure of Paul Hart, a manager who saved their bacon last season, and with their being a strong case that the Pompey players might struggle without the guidance of a real manager on the touchline, God only knows how they will perform without any influential figure leading them on. Paul Groves & Ian Woan will take over on a temporary basis for Saturday’s clash with Manchester United, while a full-time manager should be in place by this time next week, if not sooner.

Last Sunday saw Portsmouth lose their tenth game of the season, taking their losing average up to 77%. With this in mind, the sacking of Paul Hart probably won’t raise too many eyebrows but, although we were asking for his head at the very beginning of the season, we thought Portsmouth had turned a corner, with their performances steadily improving. However, it’s a cut-throat world today and it’s now a results business, and the points weren’t flooding in enough to keep Hart in a job.

Portsmouth have now lost their second successive game in the Premiership following their 1-0 defeat at Blackburn just before the international break. However, both of those did come away from their Southern venue – Fratton Park, a stadium where Portsmouth won on their last visit, a resounding 4-0 win over Wigan, a side who did, however, go on to lose 9-1 at the weekend, so perhaps that victory wasn’t as impressive as first thought. At Fratton Park, results on the pitch haven’t been great, far from great, with a record of 1-0-5. At first glance that will come across as a terrible record, and it is, but Portsmouth haven’t been on the wrong end of a home battering this season, with all five of those defeats coming by a one goal margin. 

This really is a situation where boys become men but it’s been one of the boys which has carried Portsmouth in recent weeks, and that’s been Tottenham’s, Jamie O’Hara. The English U21 international has been a revelation at the club since his loan switch but he has been about the only shining light in this relatively low quality and low budgeted Portsmouth squad. The slimness of squad and talent is already apparent and this should be evident once again on Saturday, with the absence of a natural born managerial leader now making matters whole lot worse for Portsmouth’s dire and distressing situation.

Manchester United

League Position: 2nd

Recent Form: WLWLW

Manchester United are firm favourites to notch up their second win in succession but, after losing on their previous two away outings, perhaps there will be a few doubters out there.. somewhere. Us, however, can’t see anything other then a United romp but who knows. The Red Devils did scrape through this fixture last season by the skin of their teeth, winning 1-0, but a more comfortable and comprehensive result is expected of them this time.

It’s imperative that United do obtain all three points, that’s the main objective after losing on their previous two away trips in the league. However, let’s not forget that both those outings were against two of the hardest teams in the league in Liverpool, losing 2-0, and Chelsea, losing 1-0. They were completely outplayed at Anfield but they were by far the better side at Stamford Bridge and the 1-0 defeat wasn’t a fair reflection on a game which United pretty much dominated. Still, even though those pair of defeats will have been disheartening, a trip to Portsmouth is a massive step down in class and United shouldn’t be troubled all that often at Fratton Park – that’s the plan anyway.

We were really disappointed with United in midweek, mainly with Alex Ferguson, as it was a golden opportunity for their youngsters and some of their fringe players to really shine and put their name in the frame for a possible starting berth in this fixture. The starting line up basically consisted of United’s young crop, neither of which impressed, and the defeat was an embarrassing one come the end. Still, it was a nothing game for United and we haven’t took too much notice of it, although, it may have halted some of the momentum after their 3-0 win over Everton last Saturday.

Man Utd’s away record has taken a battering in recent weeks, with it now standing at 3-0-3, but if you disregard their two defeats to Liverpool & Chelsea, as they are far better teams then Portsmouth, then United have faired extremely well. Stoke City (0-2), Tottenham Hotspur (1-3) & Wigan Athletic (1-5), were all dispatched with ease, with United scoring ten away goals thus far. Wayne Rooney has been United’s main man up front, scoring seven league goals, but he’s now gone two games without a goal so we expect Rooney to be extra motivated and as hungrier then ever this Saturday.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Portsmouth W: 2 Manchester United W: 7 Draws: 1

The fact that Portsmouth have two victories to their name is an achievement in itself considering the position they are currently in and the stature of their opponents. However, Portsmouth last win over the Red Devils came three years ago in a 2-1 success at Fratton Park, the venue for Saturdays encounter. Somewhat surprisingly, United have won just twice in six visits to Fratton Park, although the most recent came last season in a narrow 1-0 victory. United have dominated back on home soil so Fratton Park is the only place where Portsmouth have managed to close the gap on the formidable English side.

Match Verdict:- Manchester United to WIN – 1.40 BlueSquare

If Portsmouth do manage to work their socks off and earn a point, or even more, then fair play to them because coming out of this fixture with anything to show for their efforts will take some doing. However, we, unfortunately, cannot see this happening and if Portsmouth aren’t careful, a United romp could be on the cards. With the manager being relived of his duties in midweek, the confident within the Pompey dressing can’t be too great, while United’s, after their resounding 3-0 victory over Everton last weekend, will be eager to get back to winning ways on the road and they don’t usually pass up these types of glorious opportunities.

Match Odds:

Portsmouth – 10.00 Bet365

Draw – 5.00 SkyBet

Manchester United – 1.40 BlueSquare

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Manchester United to WIN to NIL – 2.10 totesport