Portsmouth vs Bradford Predictions

Portsmouth have continued to pick up points despite failing to win any of their last six in the league, five of which they’ve drawn, though they need to resume collecting maximum points on a regular basis if they’re to stay in the fight for automatic promotion. Kenny Jackett’s men finally regained the winning thread by beating Bury in the semi-final of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening. That victory needs to spark a return to form in League One.

Pompey have gone off the boil in League One, there can be no getting away from that fact. They led the way for a long time, but after failing to win any of their last six, now find themselves ten points behind league leaders Luton. They’re also outside of the automatic places by five points, so getting back to winning ways is a must. Fortunately, Jackett’s men can draw on some positive performances ahead of this match against a lowly Bradford side.

Last weekend, Portsmouth were the better side against Barnsley, who’re currently sitting in 2^nd place, while their efforts against Bury in the EFL Trophy semi-final on Tuesday night were also very encouraging. Reaching a final at Wembley should give the south-coast-side the lift that they need.

In terms of home performances, barring a poor effort against Bristol Rovers a few weeks ago, Portsmouth have done well of late. More importantly, they’ve done more than enough, by easily outperforming their opponents in terms of expected goals in four of their last five at this venue, to suggest that they can get the better of relegation scrappers Bradford.

In contrast, Bradford continue to struggle on their travels. Despite offering a serious threat going forward against fellow strugglers Walsall last weekend, the Bantams came up short defensively (yet again) and were thus beaten. Saturday’s visitors are now without a win in four on their travels and have won just one of their last 11 away from the comforts of home.

Not only have Bradford found wins hard to obtain on the road, but they’ve found it very difficult to avoid giving lots away. The Bantams have conceded a rather terrible average of 1.88 goals away from home, while their average of 2.12 expected goals against suggests that they could’ve easily conceded more. Such numbers do not bode well ahead of a match against a Pompey side that can certainly hurt teams at Fratton Park.

Frankly, this is the perfect opportunity for the hosts to regain the winning thread in League One, and punters can take advantage by backing ‘Portsmouth -1 Handicap’.

Bradford lack the defensive strength to hold off a Portsmouth side that should be fired up, while their recent attacking efforts on the road, which have seen them score just three in four, don’t exactly suggest that they’ll make sizeable dents in a Pompey rear-guard, that has often been sturdy at home. Add in the fact that Pompey, who’re averaging 1.94 expected goals for and just 0.97 against at home this season, have already beaten struggling against sides such as Walsall, Plymouth, Oxford and Southend by at least two goals at this venue and it’s easy to side with a convincing home win ahead of Saturday’s game.