bet365
BetMGM
William Hill
Betfred
BetUK
LiveScoreBet
10Bet
Virgin Bet
Can Portsmouth’s aerial dominance break down Hull’s clinical counter-attacking style at Fratton Park? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Geo location and live streaming rules apply.
Read Rationale ▾
Portsmouth have conceded in five of their last six matches, while Hull’s recent outings have averaged a high 3.33 goals per game. With Portsmouth needing to attack at home and Hull being clinical on the counter-punch, both defences are likely to be breached in this high-tempo clash.
Read Rationale ▾
While Hull are dangerous, Portsmouth’s tendency to control possession (51%) without clinical finishing often leads to stalemates. Hull’s aerial weaknesses could allow Pompey to score, but the visitors’ counter-attacking efficiency makes a score draw the most plausible outcome for this closely matched tactical battle.
Readers’ Tip
Vote your pick — quick & anonymous
Terms & Conditions (tap to view)
Fratton Park hosts a high-contrast Championship clash as Portsmouth look to turn possession into points against a Hull City side that thrives on transition and high-scoring chaos.
Portsmouth vs Hull — bet365 Market Snapshot
Swipe through key markets based on Championship match analysis.
Portsmouth look to use home territory to overcome a Hull side currently sitting 14 places higher in the league table.
Hull’s last six matches have averaged 3.33 goals, suggesting an open game is highly likely at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth average 51% possession and find goals at home, making the 1-1 draw a statistically relevant price.
Hull average 2.44 yellow cards per league game, reflecting a tactical style that can disrupt the opposition rhythm.
Match Preview: Portsmouth vs Hull City
Fratton Park gets its 12:30 roar on Saturday, with Portsmouth hosting Hull City in a Championship fixture that screams contrast. Pompey arrive after a 2-1 defeat to Wrexham — Zak Swanson on the scoresheet, but only one shot on target despite 60% possession. That tells you the story: plenty of ball, not enough bite.
Hull, though, turn matches into fires. They beat Derby 4-2 last time out, and their recent six-game run has averaged 3.33 goals per match. There’s an extra edge for Portsmouth too: they haven’t beaten Hull in their last four league meetings. This is a chance to change the mood — but it needs substance, not just noise.
Attacking Output: Goals per Match Comparison
Hull City arrive at Fratton Park with a significantly higher scoring rate across the season compared to the hosts.
Despite seeing 51% possession on average, Portsmouth have struggled to turn that control into a high volume of goals.
With 58 goals in 36 games, Hull rely on efficient finishing rather than dominating possession.
Defensive Reliability: Clean Sheet Records
Both sides have found clean sheets hard to come by, with neither team managing to shut out opponents in more than 30% of their fixtures.
Conceding in five of their last six matches highlights a recurring defensive vulnerability for John Mousinho’s side.
While better than Portsmouth, Hull’s high-event style often leads to open matches at both ends of the pitch.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Portsmouth
- Unavailable: Aji Alese (broken leg)
Probable XI (4-2-3-1): Nicolas Schmid; Terry Devlin, Regan Poole, Connor Ogilvie, Jordan Williams; Marlon Pack, Ebou Adams; Gustavo Caballero, Adrian Segecic, Millenic Alli; Colby Bishop.
The shape is built for width and service into the box. With Bishop a major aerial outlet (5.3 aerials won per game), the delivery from wide areas has to be sharper than it was against Wrexham.
Hull City
- Out: Oli McBurnie (calf), Eliot Matazo (cruciate ligament), Darko Gyabi (groin), Mohamed Belloumi (torn thigh muscle)
Probable XI (4-2-3-1): Ivor Pandur; Lewie Coyle, John Egan, Charlie Hughes, Cody Drameh; Amir Hadziahmetovic, Regan Slater; Kyle Joseph, Joe Gelhardt, Liam Millar; Oliver McBurnie.
There’s a clear contradiction here: McBurnie is listed as out, yet also appears in the probable XI. Either way, Hull still carry goals from multiple angles — Joe Gelhardt (11) and McBurnie (13) are both heavy contributors when available.
Tale of the Tape
| Metric | Portsmouth | Hull City |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 19th | 5th |
| Goals per game | 1.03 | 1.61 CLINICAL |
| Shots per game | 12.17 | 11.31 |
| Possession | 51% | 46% |
| Pass accuracy | 75% | 76% |
| Clean sheets | 7 (35) | 10 (36) |
Portsmouth like to have the ball and keep the game in front of them — but their chance quality hasn’t matched their control. Hull don’t need loads of possession to hurt you, and the goal numbers back it up. The discipline line matters too: Hull’s 88 yellows hints at an edge that can disrupt rhythm, but it also risks giving Portsmouth cheap territory.
Tactical Battle: How the Match Plays Out
Portsmouth: width, long balls, and a box-first mindset
Pompey’s identity is clear: play with width, hit long balls, and cross often, with a strong lean towards attacking down the left. The personnel fits it. Devlin and Swanson can push support from the sides, while Segecic (team-high 6 league goals) offers a direct threat arriving into finishing zones.
The issue is finishing. Portsmouth are weak at converting chances, and that showed against Wrexham: nine shots, just one on target, and a game that slipped away despite seeing plenty of the ball. If that pattern repeats, Hull will happily absorb and then strike.
There is one major lever, though: Portsmouth are strong in aerial duels and also strong at protecting a lead. If they score first, they’ve got a way to manage the game — but they must get themselves in front.
Hull: counter-attacks, wide surges, and ruthless finishing
Hull are built to punish. They’re very strong at counter-attacks and very strong at finishing, with a style that mixes width, long balls, and a willingness to play in their own half before snapping forward. When it clicks, it’s brutal — ask Derby, who faced nine Hull shots and still shipped four.
But Hull have soft spots Portsmouth can poke. They’re weak defending through balls, weak in aerial duels, and weak defending set pieces. If Portsmouth can turn wide pressure into dead balls and high deliveries, Fratton Park can drag Hull into the kind of fight they’d rather avoid.
Key Tactical Mismatch
This one could be decided by what happens in the air. Portsmouth have Bishop as a genuine focal point and win plenty of duels; Hull are weak in aerial duels and can be shaky on set plays. If Portsmouth make the match a steady stream of deliveries and second balls, Hull’s counter game has less space to breathe.
Quick Hits
- Defensive fragility: Portsmouth have conceded in 5 of their last 6 matches, and they’ve managed just 7 clean sheets in 35 games — margins feel thin.
- Hull bring chaos: Hull’s last six matches have produced 20 goals in total, averaging 3.33 per game, and their 4-2 win over Derby showed how quickly they can explode.
- Clash of control vs punch: Portsmouth average 50.8% possession and 12.2 shots per game, while Hull sit at 46.5% possession but have scored 58 goals in 36 games.
Key Moments to Watch
- First punch in transition: Hull score their first goals around 36’ on average. If Portsmouth lose shape after attacking, Hull will go straight through them.
- Long shots against Portsmouth: Portsmouth are very weak defending long shots — Hull’s runners arriving late can make that a problem fast.
- Set pieces and second balls: Hull are weak defending set pieces; Portsmouth must turn corners and free-kicks into sustained pressure, not one-and-done deliveries.
- Discipline and territory: Hull average 2.44 yellow cards per game. If the tempo spikes, cheap fouls can pin them back and feed the home crowd.
What could go wrong?
Portsmouth can dominate the ball and still end up chasing shadows if their final action is loose. If crosses become hopeful rather than targeted, Hull’s counter-attacks will look even sharper — and the game can flip in two passes. For Hull, the risk is inviting too many restarts and aerial situations: if they concede cheap set pieces and lose second balls, their usual escape route up the pitch can get blocked off.
📊 Market Explainer
Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
This market requires both teams to find the net at least once during the 90 minutes. It does not matter what the final result is, as long as the scoreline is 1-1, 2-1, 1-2, or higher.
Other opportunities: The ‘BTTS & Win’ market offers higher prices but requires you to correctly predict both the scoring and the match winner.
Correct Score
A high-volatility market where you must predict the exact final scoreline. Because of the difficulty, the prices offered are typically much higher than standard result markets.
Other opportunities: ‘Correct Score Groups’ (e.g., 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1) cover multiple outcomes for a lower price but increased security.
🎯 Portsmouth vs Hull City Tip 1: Both Teams to Score
Analysing the defensive records of both sides suggests that a clean sheet for either is unlikely at Fratton Park. Portsmouth have managed just seven clean sheets across 35 Championship fixtures this season and have conceded in five of their last six matches. While they often control possession, averaging 51% per game, they frequently leave gaps that efficient counter-attacking sides can exploit.
⚔️ Tactical Indicators
- Hull matches have averaged 3.33 goals over their last six league outings.
- Portsmouth have conceded in 83% of their most recent six games.
- Hull are very strong at finishing, scoring 58 goals in 36 matches.
Hull City’s recent form points toward high-scoring encounters, with their last six matches producing 20 goals in total. They possess ruthless finishers like Joe Gelhardt and carry a constant threat down the right flank. However, Hull are also noted for weaknesses in aerial duels and set-piece defence, areas where Portsmouth—led by Colby Bishop—excel. This clash of styles creates a scenario where both teams have clear pathways to the scoresheet.
Risk Factor: Portsmouth’s lack of clinical finishing (only one shot on target in their last match) could see them fail to capitalise on Hull’s defensive soft spots.
🎯 Portsmouth vs Hull City Tip 2: 1-1 Draw
The tactical battle between John Mousinho’s possession-based approach and Sergej Jakirović’s counter-punching style often results in a balanced contest. Portsmouth have shown they can dominate the ball, as seen in their 60% possession against Wrexham, but they often struggle to convert that dominance into wins. Given that Hull are clinical but concede goals regularly, a score draw appears the most plausible middle ground.
Scoreline Probability: Portsmouth’s aerial dominance (5.3 duels won by Bishop) matches up against Hull’s aerial weakness, suggesting at least one goal for the hosts.
Portsmouth’s strength in protecting a lead and their aerial dominance provides them with a platform to compete with the 5th-placed visitors. However, Hull’s ability to strike quickly in transition—averaging a first goal around the 36th minute—means they are rarely out of a game. With Portsmouth winless in their last four meetings against Hull, the hosts may be satisfied with a point to break that cycle, while Hull’s reliance on counter-attacks can lead to lower possession stats and shared points away from home.
Risk Factor: Hull’s explosive nature in their 4-2 win over Derby shows they can score in clusters, potentially blowing past a 1-1 scoreline if the game opens up.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Colby Bishop wins 5.3 aerial duels per match, acting as a major outlet for crosses.
Ranked as weak in aerial duels and defending set-pieces, creating a high-risk zone in the box.
❓ Questions & Answers
⊕What does Both Teams to Score mean in this game?
Both Teams to Score (BTTS) means that Portsmouth and Hull City must each score at least one goal. If the game ends 1-1, 2-1, or 5-4, the selection is successful regardless of who wins.
⊕Why is the 1-1 Correct Score plausible?
A 1-1 draw is plausible because Portsmouth often control the ball but lack finishing power, while Hull are efficient on the break but vulnerable in the air. This balance often leads to a score draw where both sides cancel each other out.
⊕How does Portsmouth’s aerial strength affect the betting?
Portsmouth’s aerial strength, particularly through Colby Bishop, makes them a major threat from crosses and set-pieces. This is significant because Hull City are statistically weak in aerial duels and defending restarts.
⊕What is Hull’s average goals per match recently?
Hull City matches have averaged 3.33 goals per game over their last six league fixtures. This suggests their matches are generally open and provide plenty of scoring opportunities for both sides.
⊕Who is the main scoring threat for Portsmouth?
Adrian Segecic is a key direct threat with six league goals, while Colby Bishop remains the focal point for aerial deliveries and hold-up play. Their combined presence in the box is central to Portsmouth’s scoring chances.
⊕Does Portsmouth’s high possession lead to more goals?
Not necessarily; Portsmouth average 51% possession but have struggled with chance conversion. They often have more of the ball but fail to register enough shots on target to win games comfortably.
⊕What is the discipline record for Hull City?
Hull City average 2.44 yellow cards per game, totalling 88 for the season so far. This suggests a disruptive tactical style that can lead to many fouls and free-kick opportunities for their opponents.
⊕Are clean sheets common for these two teams?
No, clean sheets are relatively rare; Portsmouth have only managed seven in 35 games, while Hull have ten in 36. This supports the prediction that both teams are likely to score during the match.
18+ | GambleAware | T&Cs apply
Set a budget, use limits, and stop when it’s not fun. Gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a way to make money.
