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Portsmouth host Derby at Fratton Park on Saturday in a game that could see the South Coast relegated to the third tier of English football.
Pompey are five points adrift from safety with just two games to play so they know winning both games is a must and will have to hope Bristol City in 21st place slip up.
Michael Appleton’s side were deducted ten points earlier in the season for going into administration, without this deduction then would be sitting comfortably in 18th position.
It’s going to be a tough ask for Appleton and his side, however they will feel like they are the best side out of the three that could still go down, as being in a relegation battle does not reflect their results.
Goal difference could play a massive part in who goes down and Portsmouth’s is far better than both Coventry and Bristol City.
Appleton’s men have put back to back wins together for the first time since December so seem to be finding some form at the vital stage of the campaign.
With two games against teams with not much to play for, Pompey fans will still have some hope of staying in the Championship next season.
As for Derby, they sit in 14th in the Championship, ten points from relegation and eleven points from the play-offs.
Nigel Clough’s side have had both spells of looking like relegation candidates and threatened to make a surge for the play-offs, but they have spent the majority of their season in mid-table.
Clough will be looking for his team to be challenging for promotion next season so will want to finish this year strongly and build momentum for the next campaign.
The Rams have had back to back defeats in the league, something they look to change with three points this weekend.
Match Odds
League positions seem to be going out of the window with the bookmakers in this one, Portsmouth are the favourites for this tie with odds of 2.10 (11/10) with BetFred.
With Derby not having much to play for, they will have to upset the odds to win this one. You can back The Rams at 3.80 (14/5) with Paddy Power. A draw is available at 3.5 (5/2) with BoyleSports.
First Goal-Scorer
Chris Maguire has scored three goals in ten appearances for Portsmouth, he is the favourite to break the deadlock at Fratton Park with odds of 7.00 (6/1) with StanJames.
Steve Davis looks like being Derby’s best chance of opening the scoring. His odds are 8.50 (15/2) with Bet365.
Recommended Bet
This is a much bigger game for the home side than it is for their opponents, a recommended bet for this match is for Portsmouth to win 3-1. Ladbrokes are offering this result at 19.00 (18/1).
