Portsmouth vs Oxford Prediction: Can U’s add to Pompey’s misery?

I’ve got to admit, I’m starting to question my own judgement on Portsmouth. I even backed them to beat Stoke in midweek after a rough start to the season. That went well. The 6-1 scoreline will send alarm bells ringing for Pompey, given the Potters themselves have hardly set the world alight in the opening stages of the season.

John Mousinho still has some credit in the bank, and I wouldn’t expect his job to come under pressure just yet, but this home game against last season’s play-off winners Oxford is now absolutely crucial. They meet at Fratton Park at 12:30 on Saturday, with the game shown on Sky Sports+. Below you can find my Portsmouth vs Oxford predictions, featuring team news and betting tips. 

Team News

Mousinho may ring the changes after an extremely disappointing performance in midweek. Abdoulaye Kamara, Jordan Williams and Samuel Silvera may be brought into the XI, while Matt Ritchie may offer more experience to a team lacking confidence. Mousinho is likely to stick with Will Norris in goal despite the fact that he conceded six on Wednesday night, but the likes of Tom McIntyre will have to step up at the heart of the defence. 

Des Buckingham remains without Cameron Brannagan, Przemyslaw Placheta, Joe Bennett and Max Woltman for the meantime and there are doubts over Matt Phillips. On a positive note Will Goodwin did return to the matchday squad at Luton, but the manager may name an unchanged XI after another good showing. 

Portsmouth vs Oxford Odds

Portsmouth are priced at 11/8 to win this game, with Oxford available at 9/5. A draw can be backed at 21/10, BTTS is 4/6 and over 2.5 goals is 10/11. 

Oxford to win @ 9/5

Oxford have been absolutely superb in my eyes this term. They were favourites to go down having won the League 1 play-offs, but have amassed 12 points from eight games and now sit in 11th in the table. The U’s couldn’t have dreamed of such a positive start to the campaign, and even in the three games they have lost they have been competitive, losing each by just one goal. 

It means they head to the South Coast full of confidence, to take on the side crowned kings of League 1 in May. That feels like a long time ago now after a brutal start to the new Championship season. The fixture computer was unkind to them, but now they have to start getting points on the board. I believe the Stoke defeat will have done more harm than good, especially heading into such a crucial game. I’ll go for the in-form Oxford to take another three points in this one. 

Mark Harris to score @ 11/5

Harris scored four goals in the first four games of this season, to the surprise of many onlookers. However, the physical and hard-working forward hasn’t scored in the four matches since, but I don’t think that mini-drought will last long. Oxford are still scoring goals and creating chances, they just aren’t falling to the number nine right now. 

He will want to get amongst the goals and up against a frail defence that has now conceded the most goals in the division, 19 in just eight league outings. Oxford will fancy their chances of taking advantage of that shaky backline, and I think Harris will be on the scoresheet at Fratton Park. 

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