Portsmouth relegation chances shift in supercomputer prediction after big twist
Portsmouth are aiming to beat the drop in their first season back in the Championship after a 12-year absence, and look well on track.
John Mousinho helped Pompey return after a long spell in the wilderness, and it has been a promising first campaign back, with his side edging closer to safety.
The Championship table is tight at the bottom end, with just five points separating the teams in 15th and 22nd, with seven games remaining.
It would be impressive if Portsmouth can beat the drop in their first campaign back in the Championship, but while they are on the verge of safety, it is not yet secured.
Portsmouth’s relegation chances increase amid Derby form
In recent weeks, Portsmouth have edged closer and closer to safety, and their chances of relegation fell to 1.8 per cent.
However, Opta’s supercomputer has now slightly raised Portsmouth’s relegation chances to 2.1 per cent, and there is a big reason for this.
With Derby County previously occupying the relegation zone, they then threw a spanner into the works by unexpectedly winning their last four games.
| Derby’s opposition | Score |
| Blackburn (home) | 2-1 |
| Coventry (home) | 2-0 |
| Plymouth (away) | 3-2 |
| Preston (home) | 2-0 |
Portsmouth may have expected a bigger gap to open between themselves and Derby, but the Rams are now on 41 points in 20th, just four points behind.
Portsmouth can secure safety vs Derby
Derby are one of the form teams in the Championship now, and their unexpected ascent up the table may have the other relegation candidates around them worried.
However, Portsmouth’s destiny is still in their own hands, and they are set to face Derby at Fratton Park on April 12.
If Pompey win this head to head clash, this will truly give them breathing space in the relegation battle, and would keep Derby at bay.
A win would almost certainly keep Portsmouth up, depending on other results between now and then, but a loss at home would mean Derby can close the gap and give Mousinho’s side a scare.
Derby’s turnaround has provided an unexpected twist. They were winless in 12 and destined for the drop, but a remarkable four-game winning streak has come as a huge surprise, and they will now hope to maintain this form and beat the drop themselves.