Conor Shaughnessy boost mooted as Portsmouth survival prediction shared
Portsmouth supporters are hoping with everything they have that they will not be approaching the Championship finale against Hull City still needing to win.
But that situation is feasible, with two of Pompey’s next three fixtures coming on the road – to win each of those at Norwich City on Good Friday (18 April) and then Sheffield Wednesday would double the number of away victories they have mustered all year.
John Mousinho‘s side sit 19th in the table with four remaining, and a four-point gap to Cardiff City who occupy the first of the three dreaded relegation places.
Portsmouth target revealed by Ian Darke in Championship survival mission
Portsmouth battled to a 2-2 draw with Derby County at Fratton Park last Saturday (12 April), despite trailing twice and missing an early penalty.
Defeat to the Rams, with the two sides sharing a common goal, would have been disastrous and would have seen John Eustace’s side leapfrog Pompey.
The Blues head to Norwich for the first of two Easter fixtures without too much realistic hope, knowing a win would come out of the blue against a free-scoring Canaries side who have simultaneously left the back door ajar all season.
TV commentator and Blues fan Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to Pompey News, believes one more win on the board would make Pompey’s hypothetical 49-point haul too far beyond the reach of at least three sides below them.
“I think another win would probably do it, looking at the table,” Darke suggested.
“If they got to 49 points, they’d be too hard to catch. They’ll want that win as soon as possible – we just don’t want anything riding on that last day against Hull.
“It’ll be a real boost if any players like Conor Shaughnessy can come back in and make an impact before the end of the season, and from Pompey’s perspective, they should have enough to get one more win at least, and get over the line.”
Championship fixtures likely to do Pompey a favour
Portsmouth may be up against it to register anything from their trip to East Anglia on Friday, with Watford’s visit to Fratton Park three days later likelier to yield points.
However, this is the Championship in its very nature – too unpredictable to rely on anything to tilt your way – and is exactly why some Pompey fans remain wracked with anxiety ahead of the final four games.
| Portsmouth – final four | Date |
| Norwich (A) | 18 April |
| Watford (H) | 21 April |
| Sheffield Wed (A) | 26 April |
| Hull (H) | 3 May |
In reality, the chances of Portsmouth being relegated back to League One are extremely slim. But there remains a job to do for the next three weeks.
Elsewhere, the Blues are bound to be assisted in their mission by the fact Derby and Luton Town face each other on Friday, with Cardiff and Oxford United meeting on Monday.