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As if Pompey’s season could get any worse, the Premier League’s bottom club has now been hit with a transfer ban. Sitting rock bottom, Portsmouth’s hopes of bolstering their squad has been hit by the ban, which has been put in place by the Premier League. After Pompey boss Paul Hart tried to sign a midfielder, due to a growing list of injuries. But because of the club’s financial woes, which has accumulated through monies owed to other English clubs, the cannot sign anyone until they have paid off their transfer debts. The club, after being bought out by Saudi businessman Ali Al Faraj, is trying to attract new investors, after revelations that Al Faraj was not interested in the sport at all, and wasn’t even as wealthy as had been purported.

Portsmouth have yet to win a game at home in the Premier League so far this season, but they will be bolstered by a good 4-0 in the Carling Cup midweek, over Stoke. That will have been a huge positive boost, as they need to start gathering all the momentum that they can if they are going to turn around their misfortunes. It has been a long way to fall for the club who won the FA Cup final in 2008. There is still time for them to climb out of the relegation zone, and it will need to start soon, as they are already five points adrift of safety. A win for Portsmouth would only lift them above second from bottom West Ham, if the Hammers fail to pick up any points on the weekend.

Saturday’s opponents Wigan, are not without their degree of turmoil. Their striker Marlon King is set to be sacked by the club, after the forward was found guilty on charges of sexual assault and causing actual bodily harm. Wigan are currently sitting in mid-table in the Premier League, with average stats, but were the first team to beat leaders Chelsea this season. Their form is a bit hit and miss, winning one week and losing the next, but they can, on their day, be a very difficult team to play against. Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has had to patch up some relationships with other managers, but he is regarded as one of the most promising young managers around.

Wigan gained a strong 3-1 win over Burnley in their last Premier League match, which saw them jump up into 11th ahead of them. Probably too good to be in any relegation battle, but not good enough to be challenging the top six, is where Wigan are at the moment. Perhaps some dreams of European football next season are on the horizon, but it is in games like this one against Portsmouth, where they will need to be clinical. They will again rely on Hugo Rodellega, the Columbian striker, for goals. He is Wigan’s top scorer with 5 league goals, and if after scoring twice last weekend, is a good anytime goalscorer bet to follow.

Portsmouth to win: 6/4 at Boylesports
Draw: 12/5 at Stan James
Wigan to win: 2/1 at Bet365

Betting Advice: Portsmouth will have been cheered by their resounding victory in midweek, but back to the pressure of the Premier League could be another matter. Wigan are a competent side, but have lost three times on their travels already this season. Their away win last Saturday will  have given them a nice bit of forward momentum too. This could easily end up as a draw, as Portsmouth cannot afford to start giving away more points. However, this is one which could just get away from them, with Wigan being just the stronger side, and with Portsmouth’s selection problems hurting them.
Wigan to win 1-0: 9/1 at ExtraBet
Hugo Rodellega anytime scorer: 2/1 at SkyBet