Will tonight finally be the night for Portsmouth?
They welcome Barnsley to Fratton Park, and their task is very clear. A point from the game and Portsmouth are promoted, but take all three and they are promoted as Champions.
Ahead of this League One clash, check out my Portsmouth v Barnsley betting tips below.
Portsmouth v Barnsley Match Preview
Both Portsmouth and Barnsley are on the cusp of achieving something this season. Pompey are one point off promotion, while Barnsley are two away from securing the playoffs, but their recent form doesn’t tell the same story.
Pompey, despite injury troubles, have continued to march on, they’ve not lost since January 13, and have won four of their last six games. The two teams to hold them to a draw recently have been Derby and Bolton, teams currently occupying second and third in the table behind them.
They come here on the back of a 1-1 draw at Bolton on Saturday, but every team in the league would take that result, it’s a tough place to go.
As for Barnsley, their current position masks recent form, as they come here with just one win in six. Rather than finalising a playoff spot, they’re limping towards one, though that is still not confirmed and is likely to come down to a nervy home clash on the final day of the season.
There has definitely been a change of mood at Oakwell. With a number of key players out of contract in the summer, questions have been asked of their attitude, and manager Neill Collins has also come under fire.
The Reds have played four games in April, one win, one draw and two defeats, but there has been a theme running through them all. At some point in each game, the fans have been negatively chanting towards Collins and his tactics, and wanting him out of the club.
Portsmouth v Barnsley Tips
Barnsley at their best would find this a tough away day, but we’ve seen nothing anywhere near their best in recent games.
With that in mind, let’s kick off with Portsmouth winning this game. They’ve been held to draws by a couple of good sides recently, but this Barnsley team aren’t capable of the same kind of performance as those, so it’s a Portsmouth win, which would secure them promotion as title winners.
Looking elsewhere, there’s also value in the goal scorer market. Barnsley have been tore apart by wingers, in particular on their right hand side, where they have below par wing backs to choose from and Jordan Williams at RCB, who is not a natural at centre back.
That combination has caused them to concede goals all season, and tonight they have the exciting Paddy Lane to try and contend with.
I think Lane will get plenty of opportunities and space, and 5/2 for him to score anytime looks a decent bet.
Lastly, at a bigger price, let’s go to the correct score market. With Barnsley struggling defensively, and an expectant crowd on hand at Fratton Park looking for the home side to finish the job in style, I’ll take Portsmouth to win this game 3-1, available at the double figure price of 12/1.
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