Portsmouth vs Arsenal prediction, H2H and probable lineups - 11 January 2026
One of the fixtures in the third round of the 2025/26 FA Cup will take place on Sunday at Fratton Park in Portsmouth, where the local side will host London giants Arsenal. For the hosts, it’s a rare opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition, while for the visitors, it’s a chance to progress in the tournament without unnecessary nerves. Here’s a prediction on the outcome of this clash with strong chances for success.
Match preview
Portsmouth are enduring a tough campaign in the Championship, deeply embroiled in the relegation battle. John Mousinho’s squad picks up points here and there, but the heavy defeat to Bristol City in early January starkly highlighted their current problems. In these circumstances, the FA Cup is more of an emotional outlet than a primary objective.
The squad situation for Pompey is close to critical: nine players are out injured, including several key attacking figures. The lack of squad depth is especially painful against opponents of Premier League calibre. The only positive is the return of captain Marlon Pack, who will add grit and structure in midfield.
Arsenal come into this match as Premier League and Champions League leaders, maintaining a consistently high level of play all season. The goalless draw with Liverpool ended their winning streak, but it served more to underline Mikel Arteta’s side’s maturity than to cause concern. In the FA Cup, the Gunners are clearly aiming to get through the opening round without any surprises.
A packed fixture list will force the coaching staff to rotate heavily, but even Arsenal’s second-string lineup looks stronger than most Championship sides. For many players, this is a chance to impress and prove the squad’s enviable depth, which has set the Londoners apart from their rivals. Given this scenario, the visitors are likely to control the match from the opening whistle.
Probable lineups
- Portsmouth: Schmid, Bovat, Shaughnessy, Pool, Pack, Dozzell, Swanson, Devlin, Segecic, Swift, Kirk
- Arsenal: Arrizabalaga, White, Saliba, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly, Nørgaard, Merino, Eze, Madueke, Nwaneri, Jesus
Match facts and head-to-head
- Portsmouth have lost all six FA Cup matches against Premier League clubs since 2010, with an aggregate score of 1:17.
- Only one team has scored in each of Portsmouth’s last three FA Cup ties.
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in their last four FA Cup away matches.
Prediction
The gulf in class, squad depth, and current form is simply too great to expect any real intrigue. Portsmouth are stretched thin and focused on their Championship survival fight, whereas even Arsenal’s reserves are capable of dominating at this level. If the visitors approach the game professionally, they should control proceedings without taking unnecessary risks.
