No defence unbreached at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland and Portsmouth must be sick of the sight of each other but they have to go toe-to-toe twice more in the League One play-offs. The Stadium of Light hosts the first-leg as Pompey look to bring a result back to Fratton Park.
Familiarity breeds contempt
Football has a funny way of forming rivalries and these if these two don’t hate each other yet then, as the saying goes, there is still time. Another two fixtures will add to the three times they have already met this season with Portsmouth definitely holding the advantage in those game.
Kenny Jackett’s men have finished the campaign in impressive style, losing just once in the previous 10 matches and will make formidable opponents for the Black Cats.
Despite an impressive first season as manager, Jack Ross has come under pressure at times, mostly due to the weight of expectation from a fan base that has been through a tough couple of years.
Defensive strength?
The one area of concern for Sunderland is their defence. Even on a good day you always feel that sides will create opportunities with indecision being one of the biggest issues. So many times Sunderland’s defenders have failed to clear when they’ve had the chance and this has led to opponents taking advantage.
Portsmouth have, except for a brief wobble in early 2019 and a mad game against Peterborough the other night, been very solid at the back throughout the campaign.
Matt Clarke is their stand out performer and could well move on this summer if Portsmouth don’t achieve promotion.
Fun facts
This will be Sunderland’s first involvement in the play-offs since 2004 when Sunderland lost on penalties to Crystal Palace. Portsmouth will now have been involved in the post season mix up in the second, third and fourth tiers becoming the eleventh side to do so.
The Blues also finished fourth in the division. Well, Pompey fans the omens could be good considering the team that finished 4th has been promoted in five of the last eight League One play-off campaigns, including Rotherham last season. Also, the side finishing 5th has been promoted via the third-tier play-offs on fewer occasions than any other position (five times), with Barnsley the last side to do so in 2006.
Finally, Sunderland must get to grips with a certain winger who has hit the ground running since stepping up from non-league football.
Portsmouth forward Jamal Lowe has been directly involved in eight goals in his last ten appearances in all competitions (five goals, three assists), including two goals in two games against Sunderland during this run.
Sunderland v Portsmouth Betting tip
Despite Portsmouth having the better defence you cannot back against Sunderland to score as they have done in nearly every League One game this season. So for this reason backing both teams to score at odds of 19/20 could be well worth it. Whatever happens, it should be a great game.
