Football – England – League Two
Saturday 1st November 2014 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Portsmouth have returned some mixed results of late so perhaps their current league position of mid-table is a fair reflection of their efforts so far this season, which, to be honest, have been a little disappointing to date.
I really expected to see Andy Awford’s Pompey side kick on this term following a strong finish at the end of last season but this simply hasn’t been the case; whilst their form at Fratton Park has been solid (losing just once so far), their away form has left a lot to be desired with just one win gained from their first eight away matches.
Fortunate then, that they host Carlisle united today at Fratton Park where they hold a decent 4-2-1 12/6 record going into todays match, and they’ve been unbeaten in their last four which includes wins over Dagenham & Redbridge and Stevenage.
Onto Carlisle United now and manager Keith Curle has steadied the ship somewhat following former boss Graham Kavanagh’s departure, as The Cumbrians have recently beaten northeast rivals Hartlepool United, along with wins over Stevenage and Oxford United.
However, the last two wins came at their Brunton Park ground, and a trip away to south coast Portsmouth may well test them to the limit particularly as they’ve registered just one away win all season so far.
Carlisle’s overall away record stands at 1-1-5 6/13 and they’ve won just two league games away from home in their last eleven trips which should give the hosts Portsmouth the edge here today I feel.
To sum up, Portsmouth shouldn’t lose this one particularly at Fratton Park, but with Carlisle’s improvement in form over the past few weeks, it’s steady as we go for the round ball on the hosts Pompey who could take this perhaps 2-1.
Pick: Portsmouth AH0 @ 1.63 Bet Victor
