Portsmouth vs Walsall Predictions

Kenny Jackett’s unflinching Portsmouth side stuck to their task and continued to go about their business on Saturday afternoon, as they have done for much of the campaign. Pompey maintained their four-point advantage at the top of League One by beating Scunthorpe on the road and they’ll now be looking to give their home fans another enjoyable evening when they welcome Walsall to Fratton Park on Tuesday.

As they continue to look down on the rest of League One from a lofty perch at the top of the tree, it’s becoming harder and harder to criticise Portsmouth. After a slightly shaky effort when edging out Bradford a few weeks ago, Pompey looked like they could be set for a bit of a wobble, but they bounced back with a commanding win in the FA Cup, while they were once again in the driving seat when deservedly coming out on top against Scunthorpe back in the league on Saturday.

On their own patch especially, Pompey have looked very strong. Jackett’s men have lost just once at Fratton Park, while their performances have rarely been anything but commanding. On average, the league leaders are clocking an impressive 1.97 expected goals for, while their efforts at the other end of proceedings have been just as eye-catching, as they’re surrendering an average of 1.02.

With Walsall looking weak on their travels, Tuesday’s match presents the hosts with the perfect opportunity to continue moving in the right direction by recording a convincing win.

When plying their trade on the road, Walsall, despite having a decent record, have looked very open, as they’ve continued to give chances away on a regular basis. Dean Keates’ men have lost just two of their nine away games, but that record does anything but tell the whole story. While such a record tells us that the Saddlers are tough to face on their travels, the fact that Walsall have conceded the fifth highest number of shots on target away from home, coupled with the fact that they’re giving up a terrible average of 2.08 expected goals, suggests that they can certainly be got at.

If we look at some of Walsall’s efforts on the road, then it’s not tough to conclude that they’re due a heavy defeat. They could’ve conceded three of four when somehow beating Oxford back in late September, while they’ve since given up plenty in defeat away against Southend and Luton, conceding five goals (and 5.22 expected goals) in the process.

From a betting point of view, at the prices, the selection that catches the eye is ‘Portsmouth to Score Over 2.5 Goals’. Now, Walsall may have only conceded three goals in one of their nine away games this season, but their defensive antics have often suggested that a real top side such as Pompey would cause them all manner of problems. Southend, who’re less imposing than the league leaders, notched three against the Saddlers’ leaky back-line, while Luton, among others, should’ve also done so.

Against a side that has no problem creating chances on home soil and who’ve made light work of scoring goals against weak defences, the visitors are backed to endure a miserable evening at Fratton Park.