Both Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers will be looking to record their third wins in the new season this weekend when they lock horns at Fratton Park in the fifth round of the EFL League One. Kickoffs on August 20 at 17:00 EAT.
With eight points from their opening four matches, Portsmouth currently sit in the third spot, two points shy of Ipswich at the top of the table. The hosts are unbeaten in all their four opening matches with two wins and two draws. Coming into this game, their form has been improving with only one win in their last six matches across all the competitions (LDDWWW).
Portsmouth will want another win after 4-1 League One victory to beat Cambridge United in their previous game. In that match, Portsmouth had 60% possession, nine shots with five of them on target and goals scored by Colby Bishop (45′), Ronan Curtis (60′), Michael Jacobs (70′) and Connor Ogilvie (77′). Cambridge United got seven shots with four of them on target and a goal by Joe Ironside (30′).
Bristol Rovers on the other hand sits 10th with four points picked up from the opening four matches this season. In their campaign so far, they have recorded two wins against two loses. Coming into this game, the won and lost three of their last six matches across all the competitions.
Bristol Rovers gets into this meeting hoping for better results after 3-0 League One defeat to Barnsley in their previous game. In that match, Bristol Rovers managed 53% possession and seven shots with none of them on target Barnsley got 16 shots with five of them on target and goals by Devante Cole (3′), Jordan Williams (13′) and Josh Benson (56′).
Portsmouth vs. Bristol Rovers head to head
Portsmouth holds a slightly better record having won seven times from the 12 head to head meetings between these two sides since 2013; while Bristol Rovers won three times and two matches ended in draws.
- Portsmouth 1-0 Bristol Rovers 24/04/21
- Bristol Rovers 3-1 Portsmouth 16/02/21
- Bristol Rovers 2-2 Portsmouth 26/10/19
- Portsmouth 1-1 Bristol Rovers 19/02/19
- Bristol Rovers 1-2 Portsmouth 21/08/18
Home
- Portsmouth 4-1 Cambridge
- Cheltenham 0-2 Portsmouth
- Cardiff 0-3 Portsmouth
- Portsmouth 0-0 Lincoln
- Sheffield Wed 3-3 Portsmouth
Away
- Barnsley 3-0 Bristol Rovers
- Bristol Rovers 1-0 Oxford
- Crawley 1-0 Bristol Rovers
- Burton 0-4 Bristol Rovers
- Bristol Rovers 1-2 Forest Green
Portsmouth team news
Boss Danny Cowley will be without the services of Jayden Reid who has been ruled out through injury.
Bristol Rovers team news
Nick Anderton is the only absentee for boss Joey Barton sidelined through sickness.
Prediction and odds
Portsmouth has never lost a game against this rival at home while Bristol Rovers lost three of the last five games they played.
- Portsmouth Win
- Goals over 2.5
- Both teams to score
