BetGenius
Round
Regular Season - 5
Venue
Fratton Park, Portsmouth
Referee
Benjamin Speedie, England
Form

Recent form

Portsmouth
61Average

Last 5 matches · 2W-2D-1L · +1 goal difference

Cardiff
56Average

Last 5 matches · 2W-1D-2L · +4 goal difference

Our call

Our verdict

Double Chance
Cardiff or Draw

BetGenius backs Cardiff or Draw (Double Chance) at 72% confidence — a solid call. Total goals: Over 2.5 Goals.

72%
Confidence
Solid
Preview

Match preview

Portsmouth welcome Cardiff to Fratton Park for round five of the Championship season, with both clubs seeking momentum after difficult openings. Portsmouth sit 21st with three points from four fixtures, having lost three of their league outings and both home fixtures against QPR and Derby. A lengthy injury list further complicates their tactical setup.

Cardiff occupy 19th position, also on three points, having recorded three draws and one defeat across their opening four league games. While they have yet to secure a victory, they have demonstrated consistent attacking output by finding the net in all four matches, spearheaded by Cian Ashford who has contributed two goals and an assist.

With both sides showing defensive vulnerabilities and failing to keep a clean sheet so far this term, this matchup presents opportunities at both ends. Cardiff's resilience on the road and scoring consistency give them a steady foundation against a depleted Portsmouth squad that has struggled on home soil.

Analysis

Key factors

  1. Portsmouth have lost both of their home league matches, conceding five goals and scoring only once.
  2. Cardiff have scored in all four Championship matches this season, averaging 1.5 goals per fixture.
  3. Both teams have recorded zero clean sheets across their four league games to date.
  4. Portsmouth have seven players sidelined through injury, including several defensive and midfield options.
Availability

Team news

Portsmouth

  • B. ArthurBack Injury
  • L. Brooke-SmithAnkle Injury
  • M. KosznovszkyKnee Injury
  • J. MurphyGroin Injury
  • C. OgilvieKnee Injury
  • F. UmehHamstring Injury
  • K. AndersonOverload
  • C. ShaughnessyInjury
  • C. BishopInactive
  • J. SwiftInactive

Cardiff

  • C. ChambersKnee Injury
  • R. ColwillAnkle Injury
  • D. LawlorHamstring Injury
  • G. OshoRed Card
  • Y. SalechInactive
Numbers

Statistical comparison

Portsmouth at homeCardiff away
5
Played
6
2-1-2
W-D-L
0-2-4
1.6
Scored /game
1
1.8
Conceded /game
1.8
20%
Clean sheets
0%
20%
Failed to score
33%
60%
BTTS (last 5)
80%
40%
Over 2.5 (last 5)
80%

Combined scoring rate: 2.6 goals per game (Portsmouth at home plus Cardiff away).

Players

Key players this season

Cardiff

  • J. Moylan6G · 3A
  • O. Tanner3A

League scoring and assist totals for this season — not a predicted lineup. Availability is only shown where team news names the same player.

Table

Table context

#TeamPGDPts
10Blackburn11+115
11Sheffield Utd11+115
12Millwall11015
13Portsmouth11015
14Wrexham11-114
15Bolton11-314
16Bristol City11-314
17Charlton11-514
18Lincoln11-1012
19Cardiff11+111
20Watford11-911
21Norwich11-49
22BurnleyRelegation - League One11-58
History

Head-to-head

3
Portsmouth
1
Draws
3
Cardiff

the last 7 meetings are split 3-3 with 1 drawn, averaging 2.9 goals a game.

  • 2026-09-05Portsmouth2-0Cardiff
  • 2025-02-11Portsmouth2-1Cardiff
  • 2024-10-22Cardiff2-0Portsmouth
  • 2022-08-09Cardiff0-3Portsmouth
  • 2017-08-08Cardiff2-1Portsmouth
BetGenius

Our record in Championship

63%131 won from 207 settled predictions

Settled results only — every published pick is recorded win or lose. Full track record →

Based on at least 20 settled predictions.
Predictions

1 published market

FeaturedLOST
Double Chance
Cardiff or Draw
72%
Confidence

Cardiff have avoided defeat in three of their four league games this season and have scored in every fixture. Portsmouth have suffered consecutive home defeats, conceding five goals across those two matches while missing several players through injury. Backing Cardiff to either win or draw covers the most probable outcomes given Portsmouth's early defensive difficulties.

Explore

More from BetGenius

Published September 3, 2026. Form, team news and table context refresh automatically.