Portsmouth vs Southampton: Predictions, Team News, Betting Tips, Odds & Bet Builder

The south-coast derby between Portsmouth and Southampton is set for Sunday, January 25, at 12 PM GMT. This crucial Championship match will take place at Fratton Park, home of Portsmouth. With only seven points separating the two teams in the standings, anticipation is high among fans.

Match Overview

This fixture follows a goalless draw at St. Mary’s Stadium in September, a match that disappointed supporters of both clubs. Since that time, Southampton has appointed Tonda Eckert as their new manager. His attacking philosophy is expected to greatly influence the team’s performance, particularly that of key player Leo Scienza.

Recent Form

• Tonda Eckert started strongly, winning six of his first seven games as coach.
• However, the team struggled, going without a win in seven matches until recently.
• A 1-0 victory against Sheffield United ended that winless streak, igniting hope among fans.

Key Players

Leo Scienza’s form will be crucial in this match. After a quiet start to his Southampton career, he has emerged as one of the Championship’s standout players, with four goals and four assists in his last 15 appearances. His ability to create opportunities could prove vital, especially given Portsmouth’s injury issues.

Betting Insights

For those interested in wagering, here are some key tips and statistics:

• Leo Scienza to score or assist—odds at 13-10 with bet365.
• Southampton is favored to win, with odds at 6-5, while Portsmouth sits at 9-4.
• The draw is listed at 23-10.

Notably, the last three south-coast derbies ended in draws. With Portsmouth’s defense struggling, expect a competitive encounter.

Team News

Portsmouth

Portsmouth will be missing several key players, including Callum Lang, Josh Murphy, and Conor Shaughnessy. Marlon Pack’s status remains questionable.

Predicted lineup: 4-2-3-1 formation: Schmid; Devlin, Poole, Ogilvie, Swanson; Adams, Dozzell; Segecic, Chaplin, Alli; Bishop.

Southampton

For Southampton, Mads Roerslev is confirmed out, while Cameron Bragg is a doubt.

Predicted lineup: 3-4-2-1 formation: Peretz; Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Jelert; Fellows, Jander, Downes, Manning; Azaz, Scienza; Armstrong.

Conclusion

This derby promises an exciting blend of rivalry and strategy. As both teams vie for three crucial points, expect tactical battles and moments of brilliance from their star players.