Portsmouth vs Hull Prediction: Tigers stare relegation in the face

Portsmouth can sit back and relax on the final day with safety already secured, which is testament to the fantastic job that John Mousinho and his players have done this term. They are sitting pretty in 16th, as they host a team still sweating in Hull City at Fratton Park (12:30, Sky Sports+). 

The Tigers know that defeat will see them consigned to the third tier after four consecutive seasons in the Championship, but a point or more could see them safe, with plenty of outfits within striking distance. Below you can find my Portsmouth vs Hull predictions. 

Football Odds

Team News

Portsmouth have no new injury news to deal with ahead of the final game of the campaign, which is a major positive. Rob Atkinson will start the last game of a very successful loan period at CB alongside either Regan Poole or Conor Shaughnessy and Pompey will look to make Atkinson’s stay a permanent one over the summer. 

Ben Killip played in goal but Nicolas Schmid could return in goal here, while Terry Devlin is likely to start at right-back with Jordan Williams out. There could also be a welcome start for Callum Lang, who is expected to sign a new deal this week, after his injury issues this term. Josh Murphy, Colby Bishop and either Matt Ritchie or Harvey Blair will make up the front three.

For Hull, they know they have to win so we could see a more attacking line-up from Ruben Selles. He was outsmarted by John Eustace last time out and in this tough away game, I’d expect the physical Matt Crooks to be thrust into the final third. Joe Gelhardt and Abu Kamara may play out wide while Regan Slater was withdrawn after just 14 minutes with an injury issue. 

Steven Alzate should start in his place alongside Gustavo Puerta in the middle of the park, while Alfie Jones could come into the back four to provide more solidity. John Egan was withdrawn after an hour against Derby and it will be interesting to see how Selles lines up at Fratton Park. 

Portsmouth vs Hull Odds 

Portsmouth are priced up at 21/10 to win this game, while Hull are just 6/5 to take all three points. That gives the Tigers an implied win probability of 45%, and they will have to rely on their strong away record to keep them up. 

A draw is 13/5, over 2.5 goals is 10/11 and BTTS is 8/11 on this crucial final day. Bishop is the favourite to score first at 6/1 having scored 11 this term. 

Draw @ 13/5 

Now, I think too much is being made of Portsmouth being ‘on the beach’. In theory, it makes some level of sense, but they will be playing in front of their own fans and will want to celebrate what has been a successful season. If they aren’t performing well, the crowd will let them know. 

Their home form has been the reason they have stayed up this term, and they’ve won 11 of 22 so far, giving them the ninth-best home record in the league. Fratton Park will be bouncing in the sunshine and although Hull boast the eighth-best away record and need the points, I can’t see Pompey rolling over. 

A point will be enough for the Tigers if either Luton lose at West Brom, or Preston are defeated at Bristol City. I can see the latter certainly taking place which means we could see a fairly tepid finish to this one if both teams are ‘happy’ with a point. I think there’s big value in backing a draw in this final day clash. 

Scorecast - Colby Bishop to score first and 1-1 draw @ 40/1

I can see Portsmouth scoring first and Hull fighting back to rescue a point, so let’s back that to happen with the help of a scorecast. Bishop leads the way for the home side in terms of goals this season with 11, and he’s done that in just 31 matches given his heart issues saw him miss the start of the campaign. 

I think he will open the scoring at Fratton Park to push Hull to the brink, but I think the Tigers can roar back to nick what could be a valuable point. I think we’re getting a big price on the 1-1 draw with Bishop to find the net first. 

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