Portsmouth vs Bristol City predictions: Mehmeti might add to Pompey’s problems
- Anis Mehmeti has scored four of Bristol City’s last seven goals
- Basement boys Portsmouth have conceded 17 goals in their last nine matches
- Recommended bet: Anis Mehmeti anytime goalscorer
Two of the youngest managers in the Championship will go head to head on Saturday, with John Mousinho’s Portsmouth hosting Liam Manning’s Bristol City, but only one of those youthful gaffers is having an enjoyable time of things right now.
Manning has the Robins firmly in the hunt for the playoffs while Mousinho, understandably so given this is his first managerial role, is struggling in England’s second-tier, with Pompey rock-bottom of the standings.
As a result, Bristol City are favourites for this clash, but things may not be so straightforward at Fratton Park for Manning’s men.
Team news
Long-term absentee Ibane Bowat, Jacob Farrell, Will Norris and Conor Shaughnessy remain out for the hosts while Jordan Williams and Zak Swanson are also expected to miss out.
Ross McCrorie, Mark Sykes, George Tanner, Joe Williams and Ayman Benarous remain sidelined for the Robins but Liam Manning will likely name an unchanged side from the one which thrashed Plymouth 4-0 last time.
The stats
- Rock-bottom Portsmouth have won just two of their 16 Championship matches
- Bristol City have lost only three of their last 13 games
- Both teams have scored in seven of the hosts’ last nine matches
- The Robins are yet to win consecutive matches this term, last doing so in April
- Defender Connor Ogilvie has scored in Pompey’s last two home matches
- These sides have met just once this decade, with Bristol City winning 2-1 in an FA Cup clash in 2021
Prediction
With Portsmouth having just two league wins to their name and Bristol City losing only three of their last 11 matches, the Robins will certainly fancy their chances in this clash.
However, those considering a punt on the visitors should take some things into consideration before placing any money, most notably the Robins’ worrying lack of consistency.
Bristol City are yet to win two games on the bounce this season, last doing so in April, so there is no guarantee that they will follow up their 4-0 victory over Plymouth, as impressive as that rout was.
Portsmouth beat Preston 3-1 in their last home game and also held the leaders, Sheffield United, to a 0-0 draw at Fratton Park not too long ago, again hinting that swerving the Robins could be a smart move.
Goals should be on the agenda, though, with both teams scoring in seven of Pompey’s last nine matches, and backing Bristol City’s Anis Mehmeti to find the net could provide a safer route to profit than siding with the visitors.
The Albanian has netted four of the Robins’ last seven goals and, having bagged a brace against Plymouth, he is certainly in the form to put one past a side who have conceded 17 goals in their last nine outings.
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