Portsmouth vs Stoke – Pompey can’t bet on Premier League backing battle against the odds

This may not be the most enticing looking fixture on the weekend’s Premier League card, but it has a lot of significance, and worth taking a look at. Portsmouth’s problems have been well documented as they fumble from one financial crisis to the next. The most recent development is that they have asked for permission to sell players outside of the transfer window, in order to desperately raise some funds so that they try and avoid a winding up order which would place them into administration. The cost of that happening would mean they would lose 9 points and for a team seven points adrift at the foot of the Premier League, that would spell certain relegation from the top flight.

Unfortunately, the Premier League is unlikely to endorse Pompey’s wish of being able to sell players to get some cash to put towards their debts. This is because some members feel that it would be an unfair advantage to other teams who are battling relegation. The first impression is that the team would be weaker if they sold their stars, but what other managers are about is that a player sold by Portsmouth could pop up and score a crucial goal and send the other team down. The players sold by Portsmouth under their plan, would probably only be eligible to play in the Premier League. While there is a lot of sympathy around for Portsmouth’s plight, their salvation won’t come at the expense of other clubs putting themselves at risk.

Most notably, Burnley’s boss Brian Laws summed everything up by saying that Portsmouth got themselves into the mess, and they should get themselves out. Burnley are second from bottom in the Premier League and are fighting for their own survival. But, back to football, and while Portsmouth enjoyed a happy day in the FA Cup against rivals Southampton, their league form is dreadful. They have won just four games all season, and have amassed only 16 points. Not only do they not have the quality to play their way out of trouble, boss Avram Grant already needs to perform some kind of miracle already to get them safe, but if they are taken down to just 7 points, it would be season over for them. Grant was not happy at the prospect of seeing more players being sold.

Portsmouth picked up a point against rapidly slumping Sunderland in their last Premier League outing, and now they take on Stoke, with no idea really what is coming next. Stoke beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the league at the end of November, but Portsmouth thumped them 4-0 in the Carling Cup in October. Sadly Portsmouth’s lack of goal production is there for all to see, and Stoke, who are enjoying a steady season, will be eagerly eyeing up three points. Stoke have had their critics under boss Tony Pulis, not that he would bat an eyelid at them. They recently gained back to back draws against Manchester City, once in the league and then in the FA Cup, with the replay still to come.

Stoke have drawn four of their last six games, but are enjoying a run of going unbeaten, including a 1-1 draw against Liverpool. Stoke critics have lambasted their direct and physical approach to the game, and there isn’t much flair about the side. Still, they’ll be happy enough when they are in the Premier League next season, something the Pompey fans probably won’t be able to enjoy. Stoke have a few injury worries, most notably Matthew Etherington and Danny Higginbottom, while Portsmouth’s injury list accounts for about half of their team. Stoke’s unbeaten 2010 looks set to continue on Saturday, and Portsmouth plight looks set to deepen.

BETTING STATS

Last 3 Head to Head League
Stoke 1, Portsmouth 0
Stoke 2, Portsmouth 2
Portsmouth 2, Stoke 1

Last 5 Match Goals
Portsmouth: 2 For, 10 Against
Stoke: 6 For, 3 Against

Last 10 Form
Portsmouth: W1, D3, L6
Stoke: W2, D5, L3

Win Percentage
Portsmouth have a 25.0 win percentage at home
Stoke have an 8.3 win percentage away from home

Match Prices:
Portsmouth to win: 7/5 at Boylesports
Draw: 12/5 at SkyBet
Stoke to win: 9/4 at Coral

Asian Handicap Betting Advice: Don’t think that there is going to be too much at it. If it was an away match for Portsmouth, you could see them crumbling, but the home fans may give a little boost now their backs are against the wire. They probably aren’t going to go out and score a hatful, but whichever way you lean, whether it is Stoke by a small margin in the plus, or Pompey in a slight minus, it should even out to a little profit, but be backed up in the case of a likely draw.
Stoke + 0.25 Asian Handicap: 10/11 at Paddy Power