Portsmouth v Coventry City: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Staying up is the main aim for Portsmouth, who approach their final pre-Christmas Championship fixture with the aim of climbing out of the relegation zone by beating Coventry City.

John Mousinho’s side were beaten 4-0 at Derby County last Friday, but they had previously been on a four-game unbeaten run which included home wins over Preston North End (3-1) and Bristol City (3-0).

Coventry’s ambitions are to attach themselves to the promotion race, but their more immediate challenge is to climb away from the danger area.

They were 2-1 winners at home to Hull City last Saturday, but still have a ten-point gap to bridge between themselves and the play-off places.

Portsmouth v Coventry City betting tips and predictions

Draw - 13/5

Coventry have made a reasonable start under Frank Lampard, taking seven points from four games, but they might have to accept a point from a tricky contest at Fratton Park.

The transition from League One to Championship football has been tough for Pompey, who have won only three of 19 league games.

However, they have taken seven points from their last three home fixtures and will be looking at the Sky Blues' visit as another decent chance to add to their points tally.

Portsmouth were surprisingly poor in last Friday’s 4-0 loss at Derby, where they fell behind to Kane Wilson’s 8th minute opener and never recovered.

But they have kept back-to-back home clean sheets and will strive to be tough opposition for Coventry, who are still getting used to their new manager.

Lampard is off to a reasonable start in the Sky Blues’ hotseat, although he may need a few high-calibre January additions for talk of a play-off push is to be realised.

Coventry’s away record - two wins from 11 games - hasn’t been good enough and their status as odds-on favourites at Portsmouth looks questionable.

A close game is on the cards with the draw making plenty of appeal at 13/5.

Callum Lang to score any time - 10/3

Portsmouth have had difficulty scoring enough goals, which is understandable because their first choice centre-forward Colby Bishop has missed the majority of their matches while recovering from heart surgery.

Bishop has been back in the side in recent weeks and bagged important goals in the wins at home to Preston and Bristol City.

However, Callum Lang has been Pompey’s most productive attacker, netting five goals in 15 league appearances and he looks the man most likely to breach Coventry’s resistance.

Lang has a healthy xG of 6.50 from 35 shots and looks a tempting 10/3 shot to get on the scoresheet.

Marlon Pack to be carded - 2/1

Versatile home captain Marlon Pack has played in midfield and defence this season and has always been ultra-competitive, but his battling qualities may contribute towards a caution this weekend.

Pack has been a midfielder for the majority of his career, but accepted a change of role in recent weeks as a replacement for injured central defender Regan Poole.

The 33-year-old had done a decent job, although he was one of many players who struggled in last Friday’s 4-0 defeat at Derby.

He is top of Portsmouth’s foul count with 27, but has only been booked three times in 17 Championship appearances.

However, Pack’s feisty streak is sure to keep him in the thick of the action, making him an attractive option for a card in the run-up to Christmas Day.

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Portsmouth v Coventry City odds

Portsmouth - 29/10
Draw - 13/5
Coventry City - 10/11

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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.