Portsmouth v Cardiff

Portsmouth vs Cardiff Preview

Portsmouth slumped to a third league defeat in four games in the Championship over the weekend when the south coast club were dealt an understandable but nevertheless worrying 2-1 defeat away from home at promotion candidates Sheffield United, leaving Pompey just two points above the relegation zone.

Cardiff City's promising and welcome seven-match unbeaten sequence in the English second tier was finally put to an end by another Yorkshire club and in emphatic fashion as The Bluebirds suffered a humiliating 7-0 thrashing away from home at Leeds United last time out in the Championship.

Portsmouth had previously been handed losses by the likes of West Brom 5-1 and Millwall 1-0 along with the aforementioned 2-1 defeat to The Blades and although Pompey have managed to capture a few wins in recent weeks, the south coast club are still find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle.

Victories gained at the expense of Swansea City, Middlesbrough and Stoke City respectively have been outweighed by slipping to seven defeats within their last 11 games overall, so the straight win markets look highly risky in this upcoming encounter.

However, the goals market looks very promising as seven out of Portsmouth's last 10 games overall have produced three goals or more.

It will be interesting to see how Cardiff City approach this upcoming fixture down on the south coast on Tuesday night after being dealt a harsh footballing lesson by Leeds United with the Welsh club suffering a 7-0 demolition at Elland Road.

The Bluebirds had previously strung together an encouraging if not stubborn looking seven-game unbeaten run in the English second tier which included picking up vital wins against Watford 2-1, fierce rivals Swansea City 3-0 and Derby County 2-1 respectively along with collecting useful points along the way by virtue of four draws.

The bigger picture shows Cardiff City have managed to collect just three wins from their previous 17 matches overall in the Championship whilst also being handed seven defeats in the process, so again, the straight win markets look best to be avoided here.

However, goals look set to unfold at Fratton Park on Tuesday night as six out of Cardiff City's last 10 matches overall in the English second tier have resulted in Over 2.5 goals being scored and both sides will be eager to collect all three points here down on the south coast in order to boost their chances of survival.

Portsmouth v Cardiff City Verdict

Both Portsmouth and Cardiff City have actually found league wins hard to come by in recent times despite the visitors' recent unbeaten run, but goals have featured in both of their recent fixtures in the domestic second tier so we will back Over 2.5 goals in this one.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 2.00

Other side bets worth considering:

Over 2.5 goals & BTTS Yes @ 2.30

Correct Score: Draw @ 3.50