Match Preview: Portsmouth v Derby County (Tuesday, 7pm)

Two of League One’s meanest defences go head-to-head at Fratton Park on Tuesday, when Portsmouth host Derby County.

No teams have conceded fewer goals than Portsmouth to date: the home side have let in just 33 goals in 40 games.

The Rams have conceded 35 goals in 41 games, giving them the third tightest back line so far this season.

Key to Pompey’s home form has been Will Norris, who has allowed 0.75 goals past him per 90 minutes, compared to 0.72 for Joe Wildsmith in the opposite net.

Portsmouth are top of the table after 40 games, of which they have won 25 and drawn 11, earning 86 points.

Derby are one place behind Pompey in second, with 25 wins and six draws putting them on 81 points.

In Colby Bishop, the home side have one of the league’s sharpest shooters so far this season. He has notched 18 goals in 38 appearances, to sit second in the scoring charts.

His goal rate of one every 174 minutes is slightly quicker than that of James Collins, County’s top scorer with a goal every 175 minutes, and a total of 13 goals in 33 games.

Portsmouth are in good form in League One, with four wins and two draws from their last six games.

But with five wins and one loss over that period, the Rams’ form is even better – they have taken 15 points from 18, compared to Portsmouth’s 14.

In the last three years, Portsmouth and Derby have played each other on three occasions. they drew all of them.

Their last meeting was on September 16, when they played out a 1-1 draw.

Portsmouth’s last match was on Friday, a 3-1 win against Wycombe Wanderers, with Bishop (two) and Christain Saydee getting the goals for Pompey.

Derby beat Blackpool 1-0 last time out, also on Friday, with Ebou Adams on the scoresheet.

Tuesday’s match will be refereed by Will Finnie, who has taken charge of 15 League One games so far this season, issuing one red card and booking 51 players. He has awarded three penalties.

The last Portsmouth game Finnie refereed was a 2-1 away win against Wigan Athletic on September 30. His last Derby match was their 3-2 win away at Oxford United on December 29.

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Portsmouth v Derby County
League One | Fratton Park
Tuesday, 2 April 2024 @ 8.00pm

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