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Portsmouth take on Oxford in the ninth round of games in the Championship on Saturday. While the visitors are in the top half of the standings, Pompey are in the relegation zone.
John Mousinho's Portsmouth are coming off a 6-1 midweek humbling at Stoke City, with Thomas Cannon scoring twice in each half. Pompey briefly restored parity, with Mark O'Mahony's 29th-minute equalizer putting them back on level terms before things quickly turned south.
The heavy defeat means Pompey remain the only winless side in the Championship after eight games, only ahead of rock-bottom Cardiff City (4) on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Des Buckingham's Oxford are fresh off a 2-2 midweek draw at Luton Town. Luton led 2-0 after 37 minutes, but the U's pulled one back through Tyler Goodrham on the cusp of half-time before Ruben Rodrigues scored a 54th-minute equalizer.
Following their second straight stalemate, the U's are 11th in the points table with 11 points, seven off leaders Sunderland.
On that note, here's a look at the head-to-head and key numbers, match prediction, and betting tips for the Portsmouth-Oxford Championship clash at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth vs Oxford head-to-head stats and key numbers
- In 76 meetings across competitions, Portsmouth lead Oxford 28-24, winning their most recent clash, a 2-1 home win in the Championship in March this year.
- Pompey are unbeaten in five games against Oxford - all in the Championship - winning two.
- The hosts are winless in five home games across competitions this season, losing thrice.
- Oxford are winless in five road outings across competitions this season, losing four.
- Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Portsmouth: L-D-L-L-L; Oxford: D-D-L-W-W
Portsmouth vs Oxford match prediction
As is evident in the two newly promoted sides' places in the standings, Oxford have made a better start to their first Championship campaign in 25 years. After successive home wins, the U's are winless in three outings.
Moreover, Buckingham's side haven't had the better of Portsmouth in recent meetings but will fancy their chances of taking something from the game. That's because Pompey are looking to avoid going winless in their opening five home league games for the first time since the 2009-10 season, when they got relegated from the Premier League.
It's pertinent to note that the U's haven't won on the road this season, so we expect a stalemate.
Prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Oxford
Portsmouth vs Oxford betting tips
Tip-1: Draw
Tip-2: Portsmouth to keep a clean sheet: No (Pompey have had just one clean sheet in five games across competitions.)
Tip-3: Over 1.5 goals: Yes (Their last six meetings across competitions have had at least two goals.)
