English League One
2012-12-08 - Tranmere Rovers vs Portsmouth
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : League One
Saturday 8th December - Kickoff 3:00pm
Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers remain top of the tree in League One after their battling 1-1 draw at Stevenage. With 39 points they share top spot with Doncaster (also 39) with MK Dons just 3 behind. If results really go against them on Saturday they could end up in 3rd.
Moore's side haven't won in 3 league games now but did win their FA Cup tie against lower leagued opposition. With 2 wins in 8 league games the side has let slip a big lead at the top of the table and must return to winning ways in they want to remain top.
At home it's 4 games without a win with a run of L-D-L-D so does that mean Portsmouth will upset them at the weekend? Probably not but 1 home win in 6 is a concern and they can't take the South Coasters lightly.
Tranmere Rovers haven't scored in 2 home games which is a concern. It's also 5 games since the club scored 2 in a league game and that puts pressure on the defence. At the other end 1 clean sheet isn't good enough, especially with the team struggling in front of goal at present.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth lost at home 2-3 to Orient in their last league game to leave the Premiership fallen giants in 20th place. The team only remains out of the relegation zone because of goal difference and the pressure is on new man Whittingham to get some results.
Whittingham hasn't been in charge long as his side comes here with 1 point taken from a possible 21. 1 draw and 6 losses in the last 7 is really poor and it's hard to blame the management as their hands are firmly tied behind their backs due to off the field financial problems.
Away from home Portsmouth haven't won in 5 drawing 2 and losing 3 in the process at Stevenage (2-1), Sheffield United (1-0) and Bury (2-0). The side is competitive and has drawn at MK Dons (2-2) and Colchester (2-2) whilst beating Crawley (0-3).
0 away clean sheets in 7 is a big problem, even more so with the side scoring 1 goal in the last 3. Fortunately for them the hosts are hardly keeping goals out themselves so they have a shout in this game.
Betting Verdict
Tranmere Rovers are around even money for this one and that's a decent price for the league leaders. Moore's side have struggled in recent weeks after their excellent start but Portsmouth are in total free fall.
The hosts haven't won in 4 home games now but Portsmouth have drawn just once in 4 away games losing the other 3. Both teams struggle to keep clean sheets with 1 in 6 for the hosts and 1 in 7 for Portsmouth.
If Tranmere win this, most likely it's going to end with 3 goals or more in the game so overs is a runner. However, for the odds on price it's better to just take the hosts in the fixed market.
I don't think this will be pretty but come 5pm I see Tranmere Rovers still at the top of the League One table. Home Win.
Good Luck
The Pick :
Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Portsmouth
