bet365
BetMGM
Betfred
BetUK
LiveScoreBet
10Bet
Virgin Bet
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.
Can Preston North End finally rediscover their scoring touch at Deepdale against a revitalised Portsmouth side? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Read Rationale ▾
Portsmouth are currently in excellent form, remaining unbeaten in 8 of their last 9 Championship games. In contrast, Preston have lost three consecutive matches at Deepdale without scoring a single goal, making Mousinho’s resilient side strong candidates to avoid defeat against the struggling Lilywhites.
Read Rationale ▾
Historically, 50% of the last 6 encounters between these teams have ended in draws. With Portsmouth drawing twice in their last four games and Preston coming off a 1-1 stalemate with Ipswich, a balanced scoreline reflects the tactical grit of both managers at Deepdale.
[bt4y_readers_tip]
The lights at Deepdale prepare to shine on a Saturday clash where two sides on polar opposite trajectories meet. Preston North End find themselves in a rut, sitting 9th but uncharacteristically blunt at home.
Preston vs Portsmouth — bet365 Market Snapshot
Swipe through key Championship markets with illustrative probabilities and sample bet365 odds.
Preston’s three consecutive home losses suggest Portsmouth’s resilience makes them strong candidates in the 1X2 and Double Chance markets.
Preston’s failure to score in three straight home games suggests a lower-scoring contest, potentially favouring the Under 2.5 market.
Historically, 50% of the last 6 head-to-heads have ended level, with the 1-1 draw appearing most realistic currently.
Portsmouth’s superior 49.5% average possession suggests they will dictate the play against Preston’s more direct, long-ball style.
Match Preview
Preston North End will play in this fixture following on from a 1-1 Championship drawn match vs Ipswich Town. In that match, Preston North End managed 33% possession and 11 attempts at goal with 4 on target. The only player on the scoresheet for Preston North End was Lewis Gibson (72′). Ipswich Town had 14 attempts at goal with 4 of them on target. Jack Clarke (92′) was the scorer for Ipswich Town.
It’s been seldom in recent times where Preston North End have managed to hold out for a full 90 minutes. The reality is that Preston North End have failed to prevent opponents from scoring in 5 of their previous 6 clashes, leaking 10 goals during that time. Coming into this fixture, Preston North End have not won at home in their last 2 matches in the league.
Portsmouth go into this match following on from a 3-0 Championship win with the defeat of West Bromwich Albion in their last fixture. In that game, Portsmouth managed 49% possession and 20 attempts on goal with 6 on target. For Portsmouth, goals were scored by Conor Chaplin (20′), Millenic Alli (25′) and Ebou Adams (49′). For their opponents, West Bromwich Albion got 4 attempts at goal with 1 on target.
Attacking Volume: Shots per League Match
Portsmouth’s attacking intent has yielded a higher volume of shots compared to Preston’s struggling home offensive.
Failing to score in three home ties matches their slightly lower shooting volume.
Pompey’s 3-0 win over West Brom highlights a team that creates higher quality chances.
Tactical Control: Average Possession
John Mousinho’s side shows a greater command of the ball than Paul Heckingbottom’s direct setup.
The Lilywhites rely on direct long balls, frequently bypassing the midfield battle.
Portsmouth enjoy more of the ball, helping them dictate tempo and remain unbeaten lately.
Three Punchy Stats
- Deepdale Despair: Preston North End have suffered three consecutive home losses in all competitions and have remarkably failed to score a single goal in their last three outings at Deepdale.
- Pompey’s Resurgence: John Mousinho’s side travel north in high spirits, having remained unbeaten in 8 of their last 9 Championship fixtures, including a dominant 3-0 win over West Brom last time out.
- Defensive Struggles: The Lilywhites have found it difficult to keep the back door shut, leaking 10 goals in their previous 6 matches and failing to keep a clean sheet in 5 of those games.
Team News & Probable Lineups
- Preston North End: Expect Heckingbottom to stick with a 3-5-2 formation. Jordan Storey and Lewis Gibson are the stalwarts in a back three that needs to rediscover its steel. Up top, Daniel Jebbison is likely to lead the line as he searches for the spark to ignite Preston’s home scoring.
- Portsmouth: John Mousinho looks set to deploy a 4-2-3-1. The dangerous Adrian Segecic and Millenic Alli provide the creative thrust behind Colby Bishop. Ebou Adams remains the midfield engine, crucial for disrupting Preston’s rhythm.
Probable Preston XI
Cornell; Offiah, Storey, Gibson; Valentin, McCann, Whiteman, Devine, Small; Thompson, Jebbison.
Probable Portsmouth XI
Schmid; Devlin, Poole, Ogilvie, Swanson; Dozzell, Adams; Segecic, Chaplin, Alli; Bishop.
Tale of the Tape
| Metric | Preston North End | Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
| League Position | 9th | 20th |
| Avg Shots Per Game | 11.2 | 11.9 |
| Ball Possession | 44.8% | 49.5% |
| Pass Accuracy | 74.0% | 74.9% |
| Clean Sheets | 9 SOLID | 7 |
Portsmouth actually edge the stats in offensive volume and possession, suggesting they will not be content to just sit back at Deepdale. Preston’s slightly better clean sheet record is currently being undermined by their recent defensive “leakiness.”
Tactical Battle
Direct Approach vs. Width
Preston’s style is built on long balls and frequent crosses, often targeting the left flank where Thierry Small provides an outlet. They are Strong in aerial duels, with Jordan Storey winning an average of 4.6 per game. Expect them to bypass the midfield frequently to test Portsmouth’s central defenders early and often.
Midfield Attrition
The battle in the engine room will be fierce. Ben Whiteman is the metronome for the Lilywhites, but he faces a tough afternoon against Portsmouth’s Ebou Adams. Adams is a disruptor by trade, and if he can prevent Alfie Devine from linking the midfield to the attack, Preston’s goal drought could easily continue.
Counter-Punch
While Preston struggle to keep possession, Portsmouth are comfortable with the ball, averaging nearly 50% possession. They play with width and look to utilize Conor Chaplin’s movement in the pockets. Preston are Very Weak against through-ball attacks, a vulnerability that Segecic and Murphy are perfectly equipped to exploit on the counter.
Key Moments to Watch
- Set Piece Frailty: Both sides have a designated weakness in defending set pieces. In a tight Championship game, a well-delivered corner from Andre Dozzell or Ben Whiteman could be the deciding factor.
- The First Goal: Preston haven’t scored at home in three games. If Portsmouth strike first, the psychological weight on the home side could become unbearable.
- Discipline: Preston play an aggressive game and have already picked up 64 yellow cards this season. Jordan Storey and Ben Whiteman are often in the thick of it; a mistimed tackle could leave the Lilywhites shorthanded.
What Could Go Wrong?
Preston are Strong at coming back from losing positions, meaning even a Portsmouth lead isn’t safe. However, the Lilywhites’ volatility is high; they are Weak at avoiding fouls in dangerous areas. If they give away too many free kicks around the box, Portsmouth—who are adept at protecting leads—could punish them and then park the bus.
📊 Double Chance
Definition: This market allows you to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a single bet (e.g., Portsmouth Win OR Draw).
Pros/Cons: significantly increases your probability of winning by covering 66% of potential results, though the odds are lower than a straight win bet.
🎯 Correct Score
Definition: You are predicting the exact final scoreline of the match at the end of regulation time.
Pros/Cons: Offers much higher odds but carries extreme volatility; a single late goal can turn a winning ticket into a loss instantly.
🎯 Double Chance: Draw or Portsmouth
Analysing the current form of both clubs at Deepdale reveals a stark contrast in momentum. Preston North End enter this fixture on a dismal run of three consecutive home losses in all competitions, having failed to score a single goal in those appearances. Paul Heckingbottom’s side sitting 9th in the table belies a recent lack of offensive teeth at home, where they have won just one of their last eight matches. In contrast, John Mousinho has Portsmouth playing with immense resilience, losing only one of their last nine Championship fixtures. Their dominant 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion highlights a side that is finding its rhythm exactly when Preston are losing theirs.
⚔️ Tactical Indicators
- Preston have failed to score in their last 3 home games at Deepdale.
- Portsmouth have remained undefeated in 8 of their most recent 9 Championship games.
- Portsmouth hold a superior ball possession average (49.5% vs 44.8%), suggesting better game control.
Risk Factor: Preston are historically strong at coming back from losing positions, meaning a Pompey lead could spark a sudden Lilywhites revival.
📊 Correct Score: 1-1 Draw
The tactical battle between Heckingbottom and Mousinho points towards a cagey, balanced encounter. While Portsmouth are in better form, their away scoring average in the Championship sits at a modest 0.69 goals per game. Meanwhile, Preston managed to find the net in their recent 1-1 draw against Ipswich, suggesting they are capable of snapping their home drought but perhaps not dominant enough to secure all three points. Historically, these teams are prone to stalemates, with 50% of their last six head-to-head encounters ending in draws. Given both sides’ weaknesses in defending set pieces, a single goal for each from a dead-ball situation is a highly plausible outcome.
Shot volume parity and high draw history suggest a 1-1 outcome is a strong tactical possibility.
Risk Factor: Preston’s aggressive style and high yellow card count (64) could result in a red card that shifts the balance completely.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
⊕ What is a Double Chance bet?
A Double Chance bet allows you to cover two out of three possible outcomes (Win, Draw, Loss) in one match. For Wrexham vs Millwall, a Portsmouth or Draw double chance means you win if Portsmouth win the game or if it ends in a tie.
⊕ Why is Portsmouth favoured to avoid defeat at Deepdale?
Portsmouth are currently undefeated in 8 of their last 9 Championship matches. Because Preston have lost three straight home games without scoring, Portsmouth have a strong tactical advantage.
⊕ What is Preston North End’s current home scoring record?
Preston have failed to score a single goal in their last three home matches at Deepdale. Snapshots of their recent home form show they have won only once in their last eight games there.
⊕ How many yellow cards has Preston received this season?
Preston has accumulated 64 yellow cards in 30 matches. Their aggressive style of play often leads to disciplinary issues, which can impact match control late in games.
⊕ Who scored for Portsmouth in their 3-0 win over West Brom?
Conor Chaplin, Millenic Alli, and Ebou Adams were the scorers. These players are key to John Mousinho’s 4-2-3-1 tactical setup.
⊕ What is the historical draw percentage between these teams?
Historically, 50% of the last 6 encounters against Portsmouth have ended in draws. This makes a level scoreline a frequent outcome in this fixture.
⊕ What are the defensive weaknesses of these teams?
Both Preston and Portsmouth are weak at defending set pieces. Additionally, Preston are noted for being very weak against through-ball attacks.
⊕ Does Portsmouth dominate possession?
Portsmouth averages 49.5% possession in the Championship. This is significantly higher than Preston’s 44.8%, suggesting Pompey are better at controlling the flow of the game.
18+ | GambleAware | T&Cs apply
Please bet responsibly by setting a budget and using deposit limits. Stop when the fun stops.
