Mansfield v Portsmouth Betting Tips: Pompey to get the job done again

16:47, 27 apr 2017
16:47, 27 apr 2017
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Both of these sides have had excellent seasons so far with Portsmouth having already secured promotion and now attempting title challenge whilst Mansfield Town are just one point off the play-offs with one game to go.

Mansfield are on a very good run at the moment having taken seven points from a possible nine in their last three. With Stevenage, who are currently in the play-off spots, misfiring at the worst moment possible, Mansfield will feel they have a great chance of leapfrogging them over these next two games.

The Stags have relied heavily on defence this season as proved by the fact they have kept the second-most clean sheets in the division with 16 in 44 games whilst they have also let in just 47 goals – fifth-least in the league. Additionally, they have conceded just one goal in their last three outings. Unfortunately for them though, they are not great going forward and their record of just 52 Goals For is the worst of the top 14 whilst they have also failed to score two or more in any of their last five games. If their defence was not as solid as it was, who knows where Mansfield would be in the table. Furthermore, 66% of Mansfield’s matches have contained less than three goals in total.

Steve Evans’ men have struggled at home of late and have only taken four points from a possible 12 in their last four matches at Field Mill, scoring just twice in the process. However, a couple of months back they proved that they can really cause teams trouble at home and, in late January through to March, they won three out of four matches, scoring an impressive 12 goals in the process. Going into this match though, it must be noted that Mansfield have recorded just one home victory against the seven sides above them this season.

After years of desperation, Portsmouth finally achieved their first promotion in 14 years against Notts County a couple of weeks ago. However, there season is not over yet and, with just four points between themselves and faltering Doncaster Rovers, the title is still in their sights.

Much like Mansfield, Paul Cook’s side have been rock solid at the back and have the best defensive record in the division with just 39 goals conceded and a clean sheet ratio of 41% – the only team with a higher ratio than Mansfield. Having said that, Portsmouth’s miserly defence has been exposed a bit in the last few matches and they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four. Fortunately for them though, they are brilliant going forward and have the firepower to compensate for occasional defensive mishaps. Their Goals For record of 72 is the second-best in the league whilst they have also found the back of the net in each of their last six, scoring at least twice on all but one of those occasions.

Pompey may have already secured promotion but they are showing no signs of taking their foot off the gas and, with this in mind, I think they will take advantage of Mansfield’s inconsistent home form. The odds on an away win are a worth getting behind at 43/25. However, if you fancy something more flexible, then go with ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ at 5/6. Both of these sides are very solid defensively and thus a high-scoring affair doesn’t look at that likely, despite Pompey’s potency in the final third.

More League Two tips can be found here.

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