• A poor run means Portsmouth start the weekend in 17th on nine points

• Middlesbrough, in contrast, are on 18 points and are leading the way in the Championship

• Recommended bet: Middlesbrough to win

It can be a sign of champions to pick up points even when not at their best and that is exactly what Middlesbrough did on Tuesday when being outplayed by Stoke but holding on to draw 0-0 at the Riverside. 

That result meant Boro remained at the Championship summit and maintained their unbeaten record, making them worthy favourites for Saturday’s trip to Fratton Park. 

Portsmouth are nine points and 16 places worse off than their visitors and that gulf in class is likely to show this weekend. 

The latest Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Thomas Waddingham, Franco Umeh, Callum Lang, Conor Shaughnessy and Nicolas Schmid make up a lengthy injury list for the hosts, who may also be without Josh Murphy as he continues to recover from an ankle problem.

George Edmundson was forced off in the midweek draw with Stoke and has joined Seny Dieng, Darragh Lenihan and Riley McGree on the sidelines. 

Dael Fry made his return in the same match and is expected to feature from the start, as is Callum Brittain. 

The latest Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Portsmouth have gone four games without a win.

Middlesbrough are unbeaten in eight Championship matches this season, winning five.

Boro’s points tally of 18 is double that of Portsmouth.

Pompey have won just one of their five home games this season, losing three.

Middlesbrough have won two and drawn two of their four away matches this term.

Both teams to score has been a winning bet in five of this pairs’ last eight combined games.

The latest Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Optimistic Portsmouth fans will be quick to point out that they beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in this fixture last term, but the work Rob Edwards has done with the Teesiders has been nothing short of sensational. 

The former Luton boss has overseen mass change at the Riverside, including a complete stylistic shift from his predecessor Michael Carrick, and he is getting the rewards for doing so. 

Boro’s eight-game unbeaten run includes five wins and while their last two matches have resulted in draws, those stalemates came against Southampton and Stoke — teams likely to be challenging for promotion, unlike Portsmouth. 

John Mousinho’s side are likely to be in a relegation scrap come the spring and it is hard to see them taking anything from a visit from the leaders given they have lost three of their five home matches this season, going down to League One Reading and lowly Sheffield Wednesday at Fratton Park. 

Back Middlesbrough to win at 21/20 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet