Portsmouth vs Southampton Predictions

After losing to their top-flight south-coast rivals on Friday, Southampton are aiming for better against their biggest rivals. The first Hampshire Derby for seven years takes place this week, with both sides bidding to secure their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup. Pompey are on a solid run, with two wins from two without conceding a goal in this competition, but will that be enough to edge out their top-flight opponents?

Portsmouth were among the favourites for promotion this season, but they are at the wrong end of the table. With just six points from seven games, they have fallen to just outside the drop zone in the third tier. Any hopes of rising back up the ranks to clash with Southampton seem to be on hold for the moment, especially with the visitors seemingly on their way to Premier League safety once again.

It’s early days in the top-flight campaign, but already we’ve seen enough from the visitors to suggest that they’ll have little trouble staying up this term. They were beaten 3-1 by Bournemouth on Friday, but Ralph Hasenhuttl is a stable choice as manager. He has already guided them clear of danger last term, while this season he’s put together a three-game winning streak on the road with the Saints.

The visitors are aiming to continue their winning streak on the road this week. That run also saw them knockout Championship opposition in the last round, so we aren’t that hopeful for Portsmouth in this one. While the hosts have put a bit of form together in this competition, they have still won just two of their last six. Meanwhile, the Saints haven’t lost on the road in the Carabao Cup since a trip to Sheffield United in 2014.

Portsmouth are winless in five games in League One, while we can’t see them matching the Saints in this clash. After all, Southampton are seemingly taking this competition seriously. The visitors have put together some away form, while they will be up for this derby clash. Portsmouth seemingly caught Birmingham and QPR cold in previous rounds; the Saints won’t make the same mistake.

We are going with an away win in this encounter, as the Saints have had plenty of solid runs in this competition in recent years. They should have too much quality for a side struggling in the third tier, while we think that Southampton are well valued for the win. despite the gulf in class here. We’re backing the away win, while a 2-1 victory for the visitors is our correct score pick.