Portsmouth are searching for consistency at home: Portsmouth vs Derby County prediction
The fourth-round Championship match between Portsmouth and Derby County will take place on 1 September at Fratton Park. The hosts have collected three points from three matches and sit 15th, while Derby have just one point so far and remain in the lower half of the table.
Portsmouth: conceding far too many goals
John Mousinho's side began the season with two 3-1 defeats, against West Ham in the League Cup and QPR in the Championship. Portsmouth then beat Lincoln 3-1 but were unable to build on that success, losing 2-1 to Bristol City.
Defence remains the main problem, with the team already conceding 11 goals in four competitive matches. Marko Milovanovic scored his first goal for the club in the previous game, converting a penalty in the 95th minute, but it was not enough even to earn a draw.
Derby County: winless start and collapse against Swansea
John Eustace's side began the league campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Charlton before twice coming from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw with Cardiff. Things got worse in the third round as Derby suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Swansea without registering a single shot on target.
However, meetings with Portsmouth have historically gone well for the visitors. Derby are unbeaten in their last 12 league matches against this opponent and won 1-0 at Fratton Park in March.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Portsmouth have conceded 11 goals in four competitive matches this season.
- Derby are yet to win any of their four matches in all competitions this season.
- Portsmouth have not beaten Derby in the league since January 2008.
Head-to-head history could play a role again: Portsmouth vs Derby County prediction
The hosts have home advantage, but their current defensive form makes it difficult to regard them as clear favourites. Derby also look inconsistent, although they have traditionally performed well against Portsmouth.
Both teams currently look too vulnerable to be confident of keeping a clean sheet. An even contest with both sides scoring and the points being shared appears the most likely outcome.
