Stoke vs Portsmouth Prediction: Pompey target first Championship win

Narcis Pelach hasn’t had the easiest start to life as Stoke City gaffer as his side have lost against both Hull City and Middlesbrough under his tenure. Having parted ways with Steven Schumacher, the Potters were hoping for improved performances under the former Norwich coach, but points have been hard to come by.

On Wednesday they host lowly Portsmouth (19:45, Sky Sports+), who are yet to win a game in the Championship after a tough start to the season. Below you can find my Stoke vs Portsmouth predictions featuring team news and betting tips.

Team News

Stoke are currently without both Ben Pearson and Bosun Lawal in midfield, with Pearson suffering with an issue to his hamstring. Lynden Gooch is also sidelined with a knee problem he picked up against Oxford, while Million Manhoef is now a doubt after he had to come off against Middlesbrough in the second half. Ashley Phillips should return to the squad after completing his concussion protocol.

Meanwhile Portsmouth have a load of absentees including Colby Bishop, Kusini Yengi, Callum Lang and Ibane Bowat. Conor Shaughnessy aggravated his calf injury in the warm-up at the weekend so he will sit this one out while Conor Ogilvie also missed Saturday’s draw through illness. Jacob Farrell and Mark O’Mahony both made their first starts for Pompey in that 0-0, and are likely to keep their places given the limited options for manager John Mousinho.

Stoke vs Portsmouth Odds

Stoke are priced at 5/6 to win here, while Portsmouth are the outsiders at 16/5. A draw can be backed at 11/4, over 2.5 goals is 4/5 and BTTS is 8/11. Sam Gallagher is the favourite to score first at 5/1. 

Portsmouth to win @ 16/5 

Pompey are yet to win this season, but I still think they are a massive price heading to the Potteries, and I want to get behind them. The fixture computer handed them a nightmare start, and now they have come through it I expect them to start to picking up results. 

They’ve already played the three relegated Premier League teams, along with high-flying Sunderland, promotion favourites Leeds and Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough. Stoke are the easiest opponent Pompey have played so far, and they come into it off the back of a battling display that earned them a good point against the Blades. 

Meanwhile, Stoke look all at sea at the minute, and I think the new manager still has an awful lot to prove. He’s untested at this level, and this squad isn’t packed full of talent. The bet365 Stadium is also a pretty easy place to go at the minute, lacking atmosphere and that intimidating fear factor it once had. I think Pompey can get up and running on Wednesday night. 

Portsmouth win, BTTS and Josh Murphy to score @ 14/1

I think Portsmouth will win here, as I have already explained - but let's add a couple more factors to put together a bet builder. Both teams have scored in Portsmouth’s three Championship away games this season and I think that can be the case again here. Stoke may not be too cohesive right now, but they do have the likes of André Vidigal and Tom Cannon who can both score goals. 

However, the goalscorer I’ve picked out is Pompey's Josh Murphy. I feel his pace and direct running will cause Stoke problems and it is surely only a matter of time before he gets off the mark in the second tier. This bet builder pays 14/1. 

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