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Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion bring round five of the EFL Championship to an end when they lock horns at Fratton Park on Sunday. This will be the first meeting between the two sides since April 2009, when they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their Premier League clash.
Portsmouth continue to struggle for results in the new season as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sunderland just before the international break.
John Mousinho’s men have now failed to win their five matches this term, claiming three draws and losing twice, including a 1-0 defeat against Millwall in the EFL Cup opening round on August 13.
Portsmouth’s slow start to the season has been due to their struggles at the defensive end of the pitch, where they have kept just one clean sheet and conceded eight goals already.
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West Bromwich Albion, on the other hand, picked up back-to-back wins for the first time since March when they edged out Swansea City 1-0 at the Hawthorns last time out.
The Baggies have won all but one of their four games to start the new Championship campaign, with a goalless draw against Leeds United on August 17 being the exception.
West Brom now journey to Fratton Park, where they have failed to win their last three visits, losing twice and claiming one draw since December 2004.
Portsmouth vs West Bromwich Albion Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- With 43 wins from the last 77 meetings between the sides, West Bromwich Albion boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
- Portsmouth have picked up 20 wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on 14 occasions.
- West Bromwich Albion are unbeaten in six of their last seven Championship matches, picking up four wins and two draws since the start of May.
- Portsmouth have failed to win their last seven matches across all competitions, losing three and picking up four draws since beating Bognor Regis 2-0 on July 20.
Portsmouth vs West Bromwich Albion Prediction
West Brom will be excited to take on a floundering Portsmouth side who have struggled to hit their stride since returning to the Championship.
The Baggies have flown out of the blocks this season and we are tipping them to secure all three points at Fratton Park.
Prediction: Portsmouth 1-3 West Bromwich Albion
Portsmouth vs West Bromwich Albion Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - West Brom to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals - Yes (There have been three or more goals scored in four of West Brom’s last six games)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards - No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in nine of the Baggies’ last 10 matches)
