Portsmouth v Oxford United: Sky Bet League One playoff betting preview, free tip

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Portsmouth v Oxford in the Sky Bet League One playoff semi-final first leg on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 5.30pm Friday

Best bet

Portsmouth
1pt 23-20 Coral

Team news

Portsmouth
Kenny Jackett has declared a fully-fit squad.

Oxford
Nathan Holland has returned to parent club West Ham and midfielder George Thorne is sidelined through injury.

Match preview

Portsmouth booked their place in the Sky Bet League One playoffs despite a sloppy start to the season and they can make the most of the opportunity they have carved out with victory in the opening leg at home to Oxford.

Pompey won only one of their first seven league encounters but they soon found their stride under Kenny Jackett and eight wins from 13 outings in 2020 have put them firmly in the promotion mix.

No side in League One were more productive on home soil than Portsmouth, who were undefeated at Fratton Park having won 12 and drawn six of their 18 league fixtures.

Only playoff rivals Fleetwood were able to pinch a point on the south coast from eight visitors from mid-December onwards and their array of attacking talent make them a formidable force at this level.

Jackett’s striking options include Ellis Harrison, John Marquis, Marcus Harness, Ronan Curtis, Ryan Williams and Gareth Evans and that firepower should have seen them challenging for title supremacy, not merely promotion via the playoffs.

That may have been the case had the season not been cut 11 games short and punters should bank on them showing it against Oxford, who won on only six of their 18 road trips.

Oxford have had an excellent season under manager Karl Robinson and they carry an attacking threat of their own through Matty Taylor and James Henry.

However, Tarique Fosu’s January switch to Brentford reduced their quality in the final third and defeats against Rotherham, Peterborough and Sunderland this year suggest they may fall short when tackling the division's elite.

Key stat

Oxford won only three of their final eight away games.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport