Portsmouth – Plymouth – Thomas Giles prediction

The first of the Football League playoffs this season sees two port towns go head-to-head as Portsmouth and Plymouth look to take an advantage into the second leg.

Pompey go into the match with numerous injury worries, particularly at the back with Adam Webster (injury) and Kieron Freeman (suspension) set to miss out. Paul Cook’s men lost their last game of the regular season to league champions Northampton and perhaps lack momentum going into this game, particularly at home where they have not won since April 2nd.

Meanwhile, Plymouth thrashed Hartlepool 5-0 in their last game and that was with a rotated squad and will be confident going into tonight’s fixture. They have been scoring goals for fun recently and the last time they failed to find the back of the net was back on March 19th.

These two sides last met at Fratton Park a mere month ago and the score ended 2-1 to Plymouth so the free-scoring Pilgrims will be confident of another victory against the 2008 F.A. Cup winners, particularly with Pompey’s defence being hit by injuries and suspensions.

I expect Plymouth to come out on top and, with the last three league fixtures between these two ending 2-1, I think there will be more than 1.5 goals.