Portsmouth in ‘gigantic’ claim ahead of Fratton Park showdown v Derby
Portsmouth host Derby County at Fratton Park in one of their biggest Championship games of the season on Saturday.
Pompey looked set to avoid the drop at one point, but a poor run of form of four defeats in five games has pulled them back into the relegation battle.
With only three points separating them from the danger zone, Portsmouth will be determined to claim all three points when 21st-placed Derby visit Fratton Park on 12 April.
However, the Rams have had an upturn in form under John Eustace, winning three of their last five Championship fixtures.
Portsmouth in ‘huge’ Fratton Park showdown
Looking ahead to the game at Fratton Park, Sam Parkin admitted that he does not have words to describe how ‘huge’ the fixture is.
The former Championship ace is of the view that the result is likelier to go in Derby’s favour than Portsmouth, considering how well they have fared under Eustace.
Therefore, he can see the Rams walking out of Fratton Park with all three points, although he ultimately expects both teams to share the spoils.
“Oh, I think this is huge!”, Parkin said on Benjamin Bloom’s YouTube channel (10 April).
“I can’t probably find the words to say what a big game this is. I think it’s a draw. I just think they are so well set up, Derby.
“I think it’s a low-scoring draw, I think it’s a narrow away win. I’m going for the 1-1.”
| Team | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference | Points | Form |
| 17. Portsmouth | 41 | 12 | 9 | 20 | -16 | 45 | LLWLL |
| 21. Derby | 41 | 11 | 9 | 21 | -10 | 42 | WWWLD |
Bloom, though, backed Derby to earn a ‘gigantic’ victory over Pompey at their own home.
“I think I might take the narrow away win, you can see the 0-1, can’t you?”, Bloom said.
“I’m really sorry, Pompey, but I totally agree with Sam [Parkin] about Derby being well set up.
“We said about Pompey, they’ve got goals in them at home, but Derby could stop them, and this would be a gigantic win, wouldn’t it, if Derby could do it.”
Pompey must win v Derby at any cost
Derby have the opportunity to go above Portsmouth in the Championship table with a win at Fratton Park this weekend.
That is why John Mousinho’s side must ensure the Rams return from Hampshire empty-handed.
A win would not see Pompey climb further up the table, but moving away from the relegation zone is the priority at this stage.
Portsmouth have won four of their last five games at home, and they will be optimistic of putting that advantage to good use when they lock horns with Derby.
With only five games left to play, it is imperative that Mousinho and Co somehow cling on.