Maidenhead United vs Portsmouth Predictions

After some heavy defeats in the National League, an FA Cup game against the League One leaders is probably the last thing that Maidenhead need, though if the hosts can get a positive result it could give them a much-needed lift, a lift that could spark them back into life. That said, beating a very strong Portsmouth side is going to be very difficult for the hosts.

Given their recent form, Maidenhead probably won’t be feeling too upbeat ahead of this fixture. Not only have they lost three matches on the bounce, but they’ve failed to find the net during that time, while they’ve also conceded a worrying total of 15 goals in those three games. In fairness, 15 goals conceded in three matches is enough to leave any team low on confidence.

If they recent form wasn’t enough, Maidenhead have performed poorly at home for some time. Saturday’s hosts have lost each of their three home matches, conceding a worrying total of 11 goals and scoring none in the process. Such form just won’t do. In addition to results being dreadful, the underlying figures posted by Maidenhead at home have also been worrying.

When losing by six goals to nil against Fylde in their most recent home match, the Magpies gave up no less than 4.71 expected goals, while they replied with just 0.71 at the other end. Given their performances against some of the National League’s better teams, it’s easy to see a strong Pompey side running riot at York Road on Saturday.

In contrast, Portsmouth continue to do well in League One. Kenny Jackett’s men are still leading the way in the third division, while they come into this fixture having avoided defeat in each of their last six.

When playing on the road, Pompey haven’t always been amazing, but they’ve done more than enough against League One teams to suggest that they can really hurt a National League side that is struggling big time. Jackett’s men currently rank sixth in League One in terms of expected goals for, while they come into this match off the back of some solid expected goals displays. In their last five League One matches, Pompey are averaging 1.72 expected goals for per game. If we consider this in conjunction with how Maidenhead have recently fared defensively, then it’s not at all hard to fancy the visitors enjoying themselves in this match.

With the hosts looking weak at the back in their own league, and with Portsmouth being one of the best teams in League One, with players such as Jamal Lower and Ronan Curtis, who really ought to run riot against opposition of this nature, the bet that catches the eye at the prices is ‘Portsmouth to Score Over 2.5 Goals’. A performance not dissimilar to any of their recent showings in League One should be more than enough to bowl over a struggling Maidenhead team.