Will Portsmouth surprise Spurs?
It is almost 13 years since the two clubs last met in the FA Cup. Now – just like in April 2010 – another cup match is scheduled between Tottenham and Portsmouth. While Spurs are still in the Premier League, Pompey are now in the third-tier League One.
Portsmouth therefore go into the cup match against Spurs as underdogs, as expected. Although the odds distribution of the best bookmakers is understandable, Pompey should not be underestimated at the Londoners. At least one goal can be expected from the guests. For Tottenham vs. Portsmouth, a tip on “BTS: Yes” therefore has value.
After a bitter defeat against AVFC (0:2) last weekend, Tottenham showed a defiant reaction during the week and won the city derby against Crystal Palace with 4:0. If Spurs take the momentum with them into the cup game and do without a major rotation, a scoring feast against the Pompey cannot be ruled out.
In the Premier League, Spurs boast the league’s third most prolific attack with a haul of 37 goals in 18 matchdays. Only the Gunners and City have scored more goals than Tottenham Hotspur in the English top flight – a good omen ahead of the Cup match against Pompey?
Tottenham – Statistics & current form
For Spurs, this year’s FA Cup adventure starts with the match against Portsmouth FC. In the League Cup, the second most important cup on the island, the Londoners have already been eliminated. They suffered a bitter 2-0 defeat against league rivals Nottingham before the World Cup break, which meant the Londoners had to bow out in the third round of the EFL Cup.
In the FA Cup, it is nevertheless obvious that Spurs will reach the next round. The Londoners have not been eliminated in the third round of the FA Cup since the 2013/14 season. It would therefore be all the more surprising if Tottenham – especially after their recent performance against Crystal Palace – fail to reach the Pompey.
For Spurs, it is also a chance for revenge. The last time the two clubs met, nearly 13 years ago, Portsmouth prevailed in the cup, preventing Tottenham from reaching the final. The result was a surprise, as Spurs had beaten Portsmouth in six of their previous seven home games.
Do the Londoners deliver the next shooting match?
A win is also close for Tottenham Hotspur this time. The Spurs’ offensive power is the main reason for this. In the Premier League, the Londoners currently have the third strongest attack in the league. On average, Tottenham have scored more than two goals per league match so far. It is quite possible that the goal rate will continue in the FA Cup.
The best goal scorer in the Spurs ranks is Harry Kane. The 29-year-old has already scored 15 goals for Tottenham. Two of his 15 goals came during the week in the city derby against Crystal Palace. That the Spurs star player will be used against Pompey tends to be ruled out. Head coach Conte will probably spare his goal-scorer for the next league game.
Injured players such as Betancur, Sessegnon and Richarlison are also ruled out. It is even possible that some players from the club’s own youth team will be used in the cup match against Portsmouth. There is enough room for that against an opponent like Portsmouth FC.
Projected line-up of Tottenham:
Forster – Tanganga, Sanchez, Romero – Davies, Höjbjerg, White, Royal – Sarr, Gil – Moura
Last matches played by Tottenham:
Premier League
05/01/2023 – Crystal Palace 0 – 4 Tottenham
01/01/2023 – Tottenham 0 – 2 Aston Villa
26/12/2022 – Brentford 2 – 2 Tottenham
Club Friendlies
22/12/2022 – Tottenham 1 – 1 Nice
09/12/2022 – Tottenham 4 – 0 Motherwell
Portsmouth – Statistics & current form
Portsmouth FC have had a mixed season so far and are consequently only mid-table in the third-tier League One. In 22 league games, the Pompey have only picked up 31 points so far. Since their last league win against Forest Green Rovers, Portsmouth FC have gone nine in a row without a win in League One.
The latest defeat against Charlton was therefore all the more serious. Especially as the gap to the starting positions for the promotion play-offs was widened. The cup match against Spurs from London comes at an inopportune time for Portsmouth FC. In their current form, a Pompey surprise tends to be ruled out.
The traditional club from the south-east of England lacks stability in its defensive play. The defensive deficits were already clearly noticeable in the last cup round against Milton Keynes Dons, the last but one team in League One. After all, there were two goals conceded for the Pompey against one of the weakest offences in the Third Division.
Will the Pompey be shown up in London?
To make matters worse, they have only won one of their last four competitive games away from home. It therefore remains to be seen how Pompey will present themselves at Spurs. Betting fans who want to bet on at least one goal from the third division team can pick up odds of 2.37 on Tottenham vs. Portsmouth for a tip on “BTS: Yes” at Bwin.
Pompey coach Simon Bassey will only have to do without Jayden Reid for the cup tie in London. The visitors from Portsmouth have no other personnel worries at the moment. It is quite possible that Bassey will field a starting eleven similar to the one he used against Charlton last weekend. The only obvious changes are up front.
Colby Bishop, the best goal scorer in the Pompey ranks, has been spared recently. Against Spurs, however, the 26-year-old is expected to be in the starting eleven. With ten goals to his name, the summer signing from Accrington Stanley has had a stellar season so far. Nevertheless, we dare not make any predictions on the visitors between Tottenham and Portsmouth.
Predicted Portsmouth line-up:
Griffiths – Ogilvie, Morrison, Raggett, Swanson – Curtis, Pack, Morrell, Dale – Scarlett, Pigott
Last Portsmouth games:
League One
01/01/2023 – Portsmouth 1 – 3 Charlton
30/12/2022 – Portsmouth 2 – 2 Ipswich
26/12/2022 – Exeter 0 – 0 Portsmouth
17/12/2022 – Portsmouth 0 – 2 Milton Keynes Dons
EFL Trophy Final Stage
14/12/2022 – Portsmouth 3 – 0 Stevenage
Tottenham – Portsmouth Direct Comparison / H2H Record
Spurs face Portsmouth FC for the 48th time in the club’s history. So far, the Londoners have lost only 13 of the previous 47 encounters against the Pompey. Tottenham Hotspur, on the other hand, have been victorious 19 times. On the other hand, 15 matches have resulted in a draw – including the last match between the two clubs.
After a goalless draw in regulation time in the 2010 FA Cup semi-final, Pompey beat Spurs 2-0 in extra time to advance to the final. In contrast, Tottenham remained unbeaten in the three previous encounters, including two wins for Spurs. Again, between Tottenham – Portsmouth, the Hotspur prediction seems to make the most sense.
Tottenham – Portsmouth Tip
There is now a big class difference between the two clubs. While Spurs are among the best five teams in the Premier League, Portsmouth FC are in no-man’s land in League One. It is therefore not at all surprising that betting odds in double figures are currently being offered for a Pompey win in the Tottenham – Portsmouth match.
The only question, especially after Spurs’ recent performance, is probably what result will see Tottenham through to the next round of the FA Cup. The Londoners shouldn’t struggle too much in front of a home crowd against Portsmouth. Even with a potential B eleven, Tottenham are rated much stronger than Saturday’s opponents.
After the 4-0 win over city rivals Crystal Palace during the week, we expect Spurs to be on fire in their weekend clash with Portsmouth FC. A high-scoring second half, in particular, is obvious. The two-goal mark has already been broken five times in a row in Spurs’ matches after the break.
With a stake of six units, we therefore also place bets on a high-scoring second half this time. For Tottenham vs. Portsmouth, our betting odds of 1.62 are on over 1.5 goals in the second half.
