The72’s writers offer their Portsmouth vs Luton Town prediction ahead of the Championship clash on Saturday.
Portsmouth host Luton Town in the Championship on Saturday as second tier football returns to Fratton Park after 12 years away.
Portsmouth and Luton Town both went without a win in their opening games of the season, though it was the newly-promoted side who enjoyed a far more successful outing.
John Mousinho’s side put in an impressive performance as they held early title favourites Leeds United to a 3-3 draw at Elland Road. New signing Elias Sorensen was on the scoresheet alongside Callum Lang, who bagged a brace.
Pompey were beaten in the week though, falling at the hands of fellow Championship side Millwall in the Carabao Cup. It means the focus is now solely on league football until the FA Cup begins.
While Portsmouth gave a good account of themselves, it was an awful night at the office for Luton Town as they opened their campaign with a 4-1 loss to fellow relegated side Burnley.
Rob Edwards was forced to play a heavily rotated side with injuries already causing problems at Kenilworth Road. It leaves them 23rd at this early juncture, ahead of only Plymouth Argyle.
There was no cup action in the week, so Edwards has had plenty of time to work with his players and will hope some of those absent are fit to feature this time around.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game…
James Ray
“Portsmouth will be hopeful of getting a result here, and rightly so. They’ll be backed at a raucous Fratton Park and will be facing a Luton Town side without some key players.
“The performance on Monday night was bad, but it can’t be ignored that the Hatters are in a real bad spot with injuries. It doesn’t make for good reading that they’re in this position when the season has barely even got underway.
“So, if Pompey are to beat a top side, this is a chance they have to take, and I think they might.
“Mousinho’s side capitalised on a poor Leeds United defence last weekend and if Luton play anything like they did against Burnley, they will be punished again. It might not be so damning, but I think the visitors will be beaten again as injury problems persist.”
