Championship newcomers Lincoln City have already suggested they can survive and thrive at the higher level after dominating League One last season and they can chalk up their first league success by beating Portsmouth at the ProAmpac Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
Lincoln have played their first two games of the campaign on the road, beating fellow Championship side Derby County in the EFL Cup before going down 2-1 at promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Portsmouth finished 18th in the second tier last season, but have started this campaign with a pair of 3-1 defeats, sustained at West Ham United in the EFL Cup and at home to Queens Park Rangers in their Championship opener.
Pompey won 2-0 on their last visit to Lincoln in their League One title-winning campaign in April 2024, but they may find their hosts a much tougher obstacle this time.
Lincoln City v Portsmouth Tips Summary
Best Bet - Lincoln City to win @ 7/5
Alternative Bet - Both teams to score @ 8/11
Bet Builder - Over 2 goals, Ben House anytime goalscorer, Colby Bishop 1+ shot on target @ 6/1
Lincoln City v Portsmouth Prediction
Best Bet: Lincoln City to win @ 7/5
Lincoln looked to have had the rug pulled from beneath their feet when they lost title-winning manager Michael Skubala to Bristol City after celebrating promotion to the Championship, but they have made a promising start under their new management team of Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen.
The duo had both been part of the Imps' coaching set-up during their dominant campaign that saw them finish 12 points clear of runners-up Cardiff City in League One after earning 103 points and going unbeaten in the league from December onwards.
That continuity seems to have paid off as they won 2-1 at Derby in the EFL Cup, and they again gave a good account of themselves at Middlesbrough on Saturday despite going down 2-1 due to a late goal by Boro's expensive new striker Will Lankshear.
The Imps will have to wait for their own splashy forward signing to join, as Danish striker Mikkel Ladefoged does not arrive from Swedish side Vasteras until the end of this month, but they should be hopeful that they have enough quality to see off Portsmouth.
Lincoln were dominant in front of their own fans last season, winning 18 of their 23 home league games and losing just one, and they ended the campaign on a run of seven successive home wins.
Pompey won only six away games in the Championship last season and they have not had much to shout about so far this year after conceding six goals while losing their first two games.
Manager John Mousinho certainly has plenty of excuses for a slow start given his side's lengthy injury list, but they are particularly short in wide positions with wingers Franco Umeh and Keshi Anderson out and Harvey Blair doubtful for this game.
Left-back is another problem area with Connor Ogilvie and Jacob Farrell out, while Australian striker Thomas Waddingham is another absentee, although there is a chance captain Marlon Pack could return in midfield.
There should be a great atmosphere as Lincoln play their first home game at this level since 1961 and the hosts are worth backing to take three points.
Alternative Bet: Both teams to score @ 8/11
Both teams have scored in all four games played by these clubs this season and it would be no surprise to see them both scoring and conceding once more.
Portsmouth's defensive record is particularly alarming as it follows a struggle in that department last season when they conceded 41 away goals - more than any of their rivals except rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday.
However, the south-coast side have shown enough going forward against West Ham and QPR to suggest they can make Lincoln require two goals for victory.
Lincoln City v Portsmouth Bet Builder Tip
Over 2 goals
Ben House anytime goalscorer
Colby Bishop 1+ shot on target
Pays 6/1
Begin a three-leg bet builder on Saturday's match by taking at least three goals to be scored.
Both Portsmouth games this season have produced four goals, while Lincoln have won 2-1 and lost by the same score in their two outings.
Ben House is worth backing to get on the scoresheet for Lincoln against a suspect defence. The forward scored his team's first goal of the campaign after just three minutes against Derby, picking up where he left off in a strong finish to last season that saw him score three times over his final three appearances.
Add Pompey striker Colby Bishop to have a shot on target as he should be at the forefront of his side's attacking effort once more as he seeks his first strike of the season.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Lincoln won League One last season with 31 wins in 46 games
The Imps lost only one of their 23 home league games last term
Lincoln have won seven successive home matches
Portsmouth were 18th in the Championship last season
Pompey have lost their first two matches of the new campaign 3-1
Both teams have scored in all four fixtures involving these teams this season
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
