Burton v Portsmouth tips, odds & betting preview

Sky Sports Football, 3pm Friday

Two of Sky Bet League One’s most in-form outfits clash at the Pirelli Stadium where goals look inevitable.

Burton, pretty much out of playoff contention, are turning on the style as the season draws to a close. Pompey, meanwhile, are an absolute goal machine but they cannot afford to stop now if they are to going to pip Barnsley, Sunderland and Charlton for the second automatic promotion spot.

Goalless draws are no use to Kenny Jackett’s side and anyway that’s not how they approach games.

Over 2.5 goals at odds-against prices could be the best bet. Burton’s last seven matches have produced 25 goals while Portsmouth’s last nine have yielded 35.

It’s hard to argue with Portsmouth being made favourites – they have won five in a row in the league, boast 12 away wins and have found the net in each of their last nine outings, scoring at least two in eight of those.

The ageless Brett Pitman marshals an electric attacking force which is so well stocked that James Vaughan couldn’t even get in the squad last week.

But Burton could be a match for the recently crowned EFL Trophy winners.

Nigel Clough’s Brewers have lost just twice since their League Cup hammering by Manchester City in January and have deservedly taken points off Barnsley and Sunderland in recent weeks so they fear no one.

Some of the stuff they played winning 3-0 at Scunthorpe last week was priceless but Portsmouth won’t be anywhere near as generous opponents as Scunny were.

Recommendation
Over 2.5 goals
2pts 21-20 bet365, Hills, RedZone

Team news
Burton
Centre-back Jake Buxton has recovered from a calf injury. David Templeton (knee) is out.

Portsmouth
Winger Viv Solomon-Otabor has recovered from a calf strain.

Key stat
Portsmouth have scored in all but two of their 21 away league games.

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport