Portsmouth vs Oxford Prediction: Monday’s match could have major implications

Easter Monday sees Portsmouth host Oxford United at Fratton Park (12:30 GMT, live on Sky Sports Main Event), in what is a huge relegation six-pointer.

Pompey are currently in 21st spot in the Championship table, one point above the relegation zone, while Monday's opponents are one point behind them in 23rd place. Read on for my Portsmouth vs Oxford predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

John Mousinho has been handed another injury blow to navigate as Zak Swanson, who missed the 1-1 draw with Norwich City on Good Friday, is set to miss out again here.

Ebou Adams, Mark Kosznovszky, Franco Umeh, Thomas Waddingham, Josh Murphy, Josh Knight and Florian Bianchini all remain on the treatment table.

As for Oxford, Jack Currie will be assessed prior to kick-off, while Brian De Keersmaecker and Tyler Goodrham will both miss the rest of the season with their respective injuries.

Portsmouth vs Oxford Odds

The hosts are 19/20 to claim all three points, giving them an implied win probability of 51.3%, the draw is 23/10 and Oxford are 3/1.

Both teams to score - yes is 1/1, while Pompey are 4/6 to be the first team to score on Monday.

Double Chance - Draw or Oxford @ 5/6

A match with monumental implications if I've ever seen one, Portsmouth and Oxford's Championship fates are well and truly on the line on Monday.

The hosts are 21st place, with the visitors two places behind them, and three points for either side here will surely go a long way towards survival and leave the other with a mountain to climb.

Oxford arrive at Fratton Park as the underdogs, but are actually the side in better form and they capable of avoiding defeat at the very least here. Pompey are on a seven-game winless run and they’ve lost five of those games, including each of their last four at Fratton Park.

Meanwhile, the U's have improved under Matt Bloomfield, losing just twice over their last eight games, accumulating 12 points during that run.

Booking points - 60-75 @ 10/3

A match with this much riding on it - we're bound to see some passion spill over and a few cards shown, right?

Josh Smith has been named as referee for Monday's tussle, and he dished out seven yellows and a penalty in his last appearance, five cautions and a red the game prior to that, and eight cards in the Steel derby at the end of February. In other words - plenty!

So, I'm taking a look at the booking points for this contest. Given the context of this clash, tempers will naturally flare and tackles will no doubt be flying in, so I'm backing 60-75 booking points here.

If you're unfamiliar with booking points, a yellow card is worth 10 points and a red card is worth 25 points.

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