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Can Wrexham hold their playoff nerve against a Portsmouth side scrapping for survival? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Read Rationale ▾
Wrexham enter this fixture buoyant after a high-scoring victory over Ipswich, showing relentless attacking intent at the Racecourse Ground. Phil Parkinson’s side are fighting for playoff security and possess superior goal-scoring power, having netted 51 times this season. Their home advantage should prove decisive against Portsmouth.
Read Rationale ▾
Wrexham’s tendency to concede—having let in 44 goals—combined with Portsmouth’s recent away scoring form suggests a competitive clash. Pompey have scored three in their last two away games, making a narrow 2-1 victory for the home side a plausible outcome given Wrexham’s clinical finishing and playoff motivation.
Readers’ Tip
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Tuesday night at the Racecourse Ground has edge to it. Wrexham are clinging to the final playoff spot and looking to turn one breathless win into a proper run.
Wrexham vs Portsmouth — bet365 Market Snapshot
Illustrative probabilities and sample odds based on current Championship form.
Wrexham’s 13 league wins and home strength at the Racecourse Ground make them favourites against a 19th-placed Portsmouth side.
Wrexham have scored 51 goals in 33 games, while Portsmouth have recently hit six goals in two away matches.
11/10
A 2-1 scoreline aligns with Wrexham’s clinical attack and Portsmouth’s improved 0.94 away goals per match average.
15/2
Wrexham win 22.6 aerials per game, slightly trailed by Portsmouth’s 23.5, suggesting a physical night at the Racecourse.
1/1
Match Preview
Tuesday night at the Racecourse Ground has edge to it. Wrexham are clinging to the final playoff spot and looking to turn one breathless win into a proper run. Phil Parkinson’s side come flying in after a stunning 5-3 comeback against Ipswich, a result that screamed belief and attacking bravery.
Portsmouth, though, won’t arrive to applaud the show. John Mousinho’s men are 19th with 39 points and they’ve sparked into life with a pair of sharp, confident away wins — 3-1 at Charlton and 3-1 at Millwall. Survival fights make teams hard to play against.
Kick-off is at 19:45. Expect noise, momentum swings, and a fixture that pulls in two directions at once.
Attacking Output: Season Goals Scored
Wrexham have been one of the division’s most prolific sides, consistently outscoring opponents in high-scoring encounters.
An average of over 1.5 goals per match underlines the threat posed by Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass.
Despite a lower season total, Portsmouth have hit six goals in their last two away league fixtures.
Physicality: Aerial Duels Won
Both teams rely on a direct approach, with Kieffer Moore and Ebou Adams acting as key targets in the air.
Kieffer Moore alone wins over 6 duels per game, serving as a focal point for long balls and crosses.
With Adams and Shaughnessy, Portsmouth edge the aerial stats, making them difficult to break down from set-pieces.
Team News & Potential Lineups
Injuries & Absences
- Wrexham: Jay Rodriguez (ankle injury).
Wrexham Probable XI
Okonkwo; Cleworth, Hyam, Doyle; I. Kabore, Dobson, O’Brien, Thomason; Windass, Moore, Rathbone
Portsmouth Probable XI
Schmid; Devlin, Poole, Ogilvie, Swanson; Pack, Adams; Caballero, Swift, Alli; Bishop
Tactical Implications
With Jay Rodriguez out, Wrexham’s goal-threat still leans heavily on Kieffer Moore (11 league goals) and the runners around him. Portsmouth’s shape points to a compact middle with Marlon Pack and Ebou Adams, then quick support for Colby Bishop up top. This feels like a night where set-pieces and aerial battles could decide the mood as much as passing patterns.
Tale of the Tape
| Metric (Championship) | Wrexham | Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 6th | 19th |
| Points | 51 | 39 |
| Record | 13-12-8 | 10-9-13 |
| Goals For | 51 | 33 |
| Goals Against | 44 | 41 |
| Shots per game | 11.6 | 12.4 |
| Possession % | 47.6% | 50.1% |
| Pass % | 77.9% | 74.6% |
| Aerials won | 22.6 | 23.5 |
Wrexham score more and concede more — they play matches that breathe. Portsmouth create a similar shot volume and edge possession, but their season has been about tight margins and finding enough punch in the final third. Both sides are strong in aerial duels, so the “easy out” ball might not be easy at all. If this turns into repeated crossing and second balls, it could become scrappy, frantic, and strangely even.
Tactical Battle: How the Match Plays Out
Wrexham’s Width, Runs, and Relentless Mood
Parkinson’s side want the pitch wide. They attack down the left, play with width, and they’ve built a reputation for fighting back when the game goes against them. That matters here, because Portsmouth will not gift space. Expect Josh Windass (9 goals, 5 assists) to drift and connect attacks, while Lewis O’Brien (4 goals, 4 assists) gives drive from deeper areas. The obvious focal point is Kieffer Moore — 11 league goals and a huge 6.3 aerials won per game. If Wrexham are in the final third, you’ll see deliveries aimed at him early and often.
But there’s a cost. Wrexham can be exposed on the counter and can struggle to protect a lead. When they commit bodies forward, the spaces appear behind the wing-backs. That’s where the game gets volatile.
Portsmouth’s Long Balls and Left-Sided Intent
Mousinho’s Portsmouth are built for direct football: long balls, crosses, and an emphasis down the left. Josh Murphy (6 assists) is a key provider, and Ebou Adams has been a standout with a 7.34 rating in the league, plus 3.6 aerials won per game — he can turn midfield into a battleground. Portsmouth are also strong at protecting the lead. That shapes their psychology: if they score first, they’ll try to lock the game into a narrow corridor and make Wrexham force it.
There’s a weakness Wrexham will fancy, though: Portsmouth are very weak defending against long shots, and their finishing has been labelled a problem. If Wrexham can keep the ball around the box and strike early from distance, the whole dynamic shifts.
Where It Tilts
This looks like a duel between Wrexham’s chance creation and Portsmouth’s game-management instincts. Wrexham bring more goals and more chaos. Portsmouth bring structure, aerial strength, and a direct route that can bypass midfield entirely.
Key Moments to Watch
- The Moore battle: Kieffer Moore versus Conor Shaughnessy (4.4 aerials won) and Regan Poole (3.3) is a headline within the match.
- Second balls in midfield: With both teams strong in the air, the first header isn’t the win — the next touch is.
- Long shots: Portsmouth’s vulnerability to strikes from range invites Wrexham midfielders to pull the trigger when the lane opens.
What could go wrong?
Wrexham’s style can turn on them. If they push too high chasing control, Portsmouth’s direct play can skip the press and land the ball into dangerous areas fast. And if Wrexham do go ahead, their struggles protecting a lead can invite late tension — the exact kind of tension Portsmouth will happily feed off.
Game Insights Snapshot
- Playoff Pressure Point: Wrexham sit sixth with 51 points after 13 wins, 12 draws and eight defeats, and victory could carve out real daylight to the chasing pack.
- Goals, Grit, Chaos: Wrexham’s last Championship outing was a 5-3 blockbuster against Ipswich, and they’ve scored 51 goals in 33 league games — they don’t do quiet.
- Pompey’s Away Punch: Portsmouth have won 3-1 away in back-to-back league games at Charlton and Millwall, even though they average 0.94 goals per away league match overall.
Market Explainer: Understanding the Wrexham vs Portsmouth Selections
Match Result (1X2)
This market is the most straightforward way to bet on football. You select either a Home Win, a Draw, or an Away Win. It covers the result at the end of the standard 90 minutes plus injury time.
Pros: High liquidity and easy to understand. Cons: Can be volatile in tight Championship encounters where late goals are frequent.
Correct Score
This requires predicting the exact final scoreline. Because it is much harder to get right than a simple result, the prices are significantly higher.
Pros: Excellent reward for accuracy. Cons: High risk; a single late goal can ruin a winning selection even if you correctly predicted the winner.
📊 Main Selection: Wrexham to Win
Wrexham’s pursuit of a playoff berth has been defined by their relentless attacking output at the Racecourse Ground. Currently sitting sixth in the Championship, Phil Parkinson’s side have demonstrated an ability to out-muscle opponents through physical dominance and clinical finishing. Kieffer Moore, winning 6.3 aerial duels per game, provides a platform that most Championship defences struggle to contain. Following their high-octane 5-3 win over Ipswich, the momentum is firmly with the home side to secure three points against a lower-ranked Portsmouth.
🎯 Tactical Indicators
- Wrexham have scored 51 league goals this season, showcasing superior offensive depth.
- Kieffer Moore averages 11 league goals and is a primary target for crosses.
- Portsmouth are noted for their vulnerability when defending against long-range shots.
Risk Factor: Wrexham have conceded 44 goals and occasionally struggle to protect leads late in the match.
🎯 Correct Score Analysis: Wrexham 2-1 Portsmouth
Predicting a 2-1 victory for Wrexham accounts for the strengths and defensive frailties of both sides. While Wrexham are the superior force at home, they rarely keep clean sheets, as seen in their recent eight-goal thriller. Portsmouth, fighting survival at the bottom of the table, have found a sudden scoring touch on the road, winning their last two away games 3-1. With Ebou Adams winning midfield battles and Josh Murphy providing delivery, Pompey are highly likely to find the net, but Wrexham’s home intensity should see them edge the contest by a single goal.
GOALS/GAME (WRE)
AWAY GOALS (POR)
Risk Factor: A low-scoring draw is possible if Portsmouth successfully lock the game down after an early goal.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Kieffer Moore wins 6.3 aerial duels per match, providing a constant outlet for Wrexham’s wide delivery.
Portsmouth are statistically weak at stopping efforts from range, an area Wrexham’s midfielders frequently exploit.
⚔️ Interactive Q&A: Wrexham vs Portsmouth
⊕
Who are the favourites to win the match?
Wrexham are the favourites to win the match. Currently sitting 6th in the league, they have significant home advantage and a much higher scoring record than Portsmouth.
⊕
What is a Correct Score bet?
A Correct Score bet requires you to predict the exact final result of the game. For this match, our analysis points to a 2-1 victory for Wrexham.
⊕
Will both teams score in this game?
Yes, it is highly likely both teams will score. Wrexham have a porous defence that has conceded 44 goals, while Portsmouth have scored three times in each of their last two away games.
⊕
How many goals does Kieffer Moore have?
Kieffer Moore has scored 11 league goals this season. He is Wrexham’s main attacking threat and dominates in the air with 6.3 aerial wins per match.
⊕
What time is kick-off?
The match kicks off at 19:45 UK time on 24 February. It will be held at Wrexham’s home ground, the Racecourse Ground.
⊕
Is Jay Rodriguez playing for Wrexham?
No, Jay Rodriguez is unavailable for Wrexham. He is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
⊕
What is Portsmouth’s away form like?
Portsmouth have shown strong recent away form with back-to-back 3-1 wins. However, their overall away scoring average remains relatively low at 0.94 goals per game.
⊕
Which team wins more headers?
Portsmouth win slightly more headers with an average of 23.5 per match compared to Wrexham’s 22.6. This suggests a very physical encounter between the two sides.
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