Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Both Portsmouth and Cardiff City are locked in a relegation battle. Cardiff sit three points above the drop zone with a game in hand, while Portsmouth are just two points clear. However, while the Welsh side have shown signs of improvement, Portsmouth’s form has taken a turn for the worse.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth are winless in four matches, collecting just a single point in that run. A similar slump in October and November was more damaging since it came against direct relegation rivals, including a defeat to Cardiff (0:2). This time, though, Portsmouth have faced three top-five clubs—West Bromwich Albion (1:5), Burnley (0:0), and Sheffield United (1:2). Only Millwall (0:1) were a mid-table side. Given the strength of the opposition, these setbacks were somewhat expected.
Cardiff City
Cardiff have collected eight points from the last five games (two wins, two draws), mainly against bottom-half teams like Swansea City (3:0). However, most of these points came at home. Their away form remains fragile—they barely escaped with a draw at Millwall (2:2), scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, while Leeds United dismantled them 7:0 in their last road game.
Portsmouth vs Cardiff City Prediction
Despite their poor recent form and the first-round loss to Cardiff, Portsmouth have a great opportunity to bounce back. Their last home victory was a convincing win over fellow relegation battlers Stoke City (3:1), a team that recently pushed Cardiff City to a 3:3 draw in the FA Cup. It’s worth backing Portsmouth to take all three points at Fratton Park.
