Portsmouth Vs Arsenal
Monday, 2 March 2020 – 19:45 (GMT) Kick-Off
English FA Cup
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 13/15
Bookmaker: Sportingbet
(All betting odds displayed were correct at time of writing: 29 February 2020 at 11:10 GMT)
Preview: Could there be an upset in the making at Fratton Park on Monday? Portsmouth will certainly be hoping so, with the League One outfit hosting Premier League opposition in the shape of Arsenal in the FA Cup Fifth Round.
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Table of Contents
Portsmouth Preview – Pompey primed to deliver cup upset?
It is four wins from the last five competitive matches for Kenny Jackett and his rampaging Portsmouth side, who on Friday night condemned struggling Rochdale to a routine 3-0 defeat at Fratton Park to maintain their assault on the League One automatic promotion berths. They will approach this otherwise daunting encounter with relish no doubt, confident of delivering a competitive showing at the very least on current form.
The only downside, perhaps, will be the slight discrepancy between when the two sides were last in action. Arsenal exited the Europa League the previous night. It may only be 24 hours of difference but small gains and all that. Jackett is unlikely to make allowances for such an excuse, though, should his players not rise to the task at hand. Standards have been raised under his stewardship, culminating in 13 wins from the last 15 games in all competitions.
At Fratton Park, meanwhile, Pompey are unbeaten since losing 4-0 to neighbouring rivals Southampton in an EFL Cup clash back in September. That is nineteen fixtures (W16 D3) without losing at their South Coast residence, winning each of the previous ten whilst scoring a minimum of twice in all of the last nine. So they’ll take some stopping in front of goal and could, given how strong their record is both at home and in general, be primed for a cup upset.
Arsenal Preview – Gunners out to atone for Europa League exit?
Players want to get straight back out there immediately after a defeat, or so it is often said. Arsenal have the opportunity to back that theory up on Monday, four days on from their demoralising exit from the Europa League. Now, the main focus until the end of the season is undoubtedly the league and acquiring a minimum top-six finish that would see them return to Europe next term, but the FA Cup does represent their sole shot at adding some silverware.
Trudging off The Emirates pitch following a 2-1 loss after extra-time to Olympiacos, who won 1-0 inside 90 minutes, the Arsenal team cut forlorn figures upon realising their adventure on the continent was over for another season. Mikel Arteta’s side cruelly beaten on the away goals rule. From a statistical perspective, it marked only a second loss under the new manager, whose side were previously unbeaten in their last ten competitive showings (W6 D5).
On the road meanwhile, Arsenal have become something of draw merchants having contested seven stalemates in their past ten such encounters. They did win the other three, though, which again highlights the positive progress that has been made under Arteta. Being difficult to beat was not a previous trait of theirs. An obvious concern, however, will be who starts here, as fatigue was clear for all to see at the end of 120 adsorbing minutes on Thursday.
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Portsmouth Vs Arsenal Betting Advice
If Arsenal had hoped to ease themselves back into action following Thursday’s deflating defeat to Olympiacos, they could be in for a rude awakening down at Fratton Park. Portsmouth are enjoying an incredible period, winning four of the last five along with 13 of their previous 15 fixtures in all competitions. Southampton were the last team to beat them at home meanwhile, with Pompey unbeaten in their last 19 matches (W16 D3) at home in all competitions.
Portsmouth Vs Arsenal – Key Facts
- Portsmouth haven’t lost a competitive match at home since losing 4-0 to Southampton in the EFL Cup in September, winning 16 of 19 at Fratton Park thereafter.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their past ten away matches in all competitions, but did manage only three wins in that sequence (W3 D7).
- Since the turn of the century, the clubs have met on fifteen occasions in all competitions with Arsenal still yet to lose, winning nine including the most recent four.
Mikel Arteta opted for a strong line-up at Bournemouth in the previous round. The Spaniard vindicated by a 2-1 victory. He will surely dip into his squad for this, though, with it coming too soon after Thursday’s demands in Europe. That has to make an already fragile visiting team more susceptible, although their form has been encouraging of late.
Portsmouth have scored in 19 consecutive home games. Meanwhile, Arsenal would fail to score only twice in their last ten away, with seven delivering both teams scoring. That bet looks too big here.
Best Betting Odds for Portsmouth Vs Arsenal
Portsmouth – 2/5 (Betway)
Draw – 17/4 (Bet365)
Arsenal – 7/1 (Boylesports)
