There is one match in Sky Bet League 1 on Tuesday night and it is a big one as far as the top of the table is concerned with the leaders Portsmouth playing host to Charlton Athletic at Fratton Park in a match between two of the bigger sides in the division.
Pompey have the chance to open up a nine point lead over Luton at the top of the table and will do so with a win but were the Addicks to come out on top they would move up two places to fifth in proceedings.
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Portsmouth
At this stage of the season Portsmouth are looking very strong. There is a slight feel that their record could be slightly padded in that they are yet to face two of the three sides who were relegated last term into this division. They come along in their next two matches so we will know all about Pompey’s title credentials over the next 10 days or so.
Portsmouth have the best defensive record in the division and having seen them on the opening day of the campaign that doesn’t surprise me, but that unit are likely to be tested to the full in this match. Portsmouth are the lowest scorers in the top six but they have only lost one match all season so it is hard to criticise them.
Charlton Athletic
Lee Bowyer saw the manager of the month curse hit his side at the weekend when they ended a four match winning burst in the division come to an end late on at Blackpool on Saturday and he will be hoping his side can launch another good run of form here with plenty of matches on the horizon over the tough Christmas period to come.
After the disappointment of missing out in the playoffs last season you have to give credit to Charlton for picking themselves up so quickly and going again and I would wager they are a better side this season. It just so happens that there aren’t yet two dominant sides like last season. If the Addicks are to avoid another playoff tilt they could do with winning here to keep the top two in their sights.
Team News
Portsmouth are going to remain without David Wheeler and Dion Donohue for this match as both remain out. Donohue is getting close to a return but the game comes too soon for him. Ben Close could come in.
Charlton are expected to be missing Jamie Ward once again as he is yet to get over a dead leg. Darren Pratley remains on the sidelines but youngster Toby Stevenson could keep his place in the side.
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Betting
This is a tricky match to call. On the face of it Portsmouth could be considered a touch big at around the 10/11 mark but Charlton are a good side who are more than capable of making it tough. Although they’ve suffered a couple of defeats on the road in the last six weeks or so they are one of just two teams to go to Luton and get a point which shows their resilience.
When I back a side to win I want to know that there is a chance that they are going to win comfortably but Portsmouth don’t score a huge amount of goals so that is a concern. I actually think there is a fair amount of draw cover here which doesn’t entice me into a bet. I’ll sit this one out.
Tips
No Bet
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