Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Due to two postponed home matches in the autumn, Portsmouth have been dealt with an intense schedule in January. Now, they will finally play their second rescheduled fixture.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth are coming off a tough 1:5 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. However, their away struggles are not surprising. Under John Mousinho, they have consistently faltered on the road, playing like novices unprepared for any significant challenge. While such a heavy defeat hasn’t occurred since 13 December (a 0:4 loss to Derby County), it bears no relation to their home form. At Fratton Park, Portsmouth have been outstanding, with six wins and a draw in their recent matches, boasting a goal difference of +13.
Millwall
Their opponents, Millwall, are hardly an offensive powerhouse. They have rarely scored more than one goal in a match this season—only six exceptions across 28 games. The last time these teams met was in a League Cup tie at Fratton Park in August, which ended in a classic 1:0 win for the London side. That match was a defensive affair, with the teams combining for just 18 shots, and only Millwall managed to hit the target (0–2).
Portsmouth vs Millwall Prediction
Under new manager Alex Neil, Millwall continue to favour low-scoring games, with the exception of a couple of recent 2:2 draws. Despite Portsmouth's prolific scoring at home, Millwall's disciplined defence should keep the game tight. The busy schedule for Portsmouth could also impact their finishing, further reinforcing the likelihood of a low-scoring affair.
