EFL LEAGUE ONE:
PORTSMOUTH v CHARLTON ATHLETIC PREVIEW
A vital clash at Fratton Park which could see Pompey move a healthy NINE points clear at the division’s summit going into the busy Christmas league programme. The Addicks suffered a narrow, disappointing, loss at play-off rivals Blackpool last time out. This defeat ended an impressive four game winning run that propelled them into the top six and a victory in this game would see them move back into the play-off places. Pompey seem to have repaired their dodgy home form from earlier in the season and are sweeping all before them right now. They play open attacking football with goals shared between players all over the field and in my view Lee Bowyer & his side will be heading back to London disappointed.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
The Stats
- Portsmouth won two of their three meetings with Charlton in all competitions last season (L1), as many wins as they had managed in their previous 13 games against the Addicks combined prior to that campaign.
- Charlton have won six of their last seven league visits to Fratton Park, losing the other 4-2 in the Premier League in April 2005.
- The away side has won each of the last five meetings in all competitions between Portsmouth and Charlton, each time by a 1-0 scoreline.
- Portsmouth have won more league games than any other side in the top four tiers of English football so far this season (W14 D5 L1), including each of their last four in a row.
- Only Ian Henderson (15) has been directly involved in more League One goals this season than Charlton’s Karlan Grant (10 goals, 4 assists).
words Ian Bradley, D3D4 roving reporter and predictions guru. You can follow Ian on twitter @Millmoor1