The Championship‘s Sunday kick off sees the league leaders Leeds travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth.
Our tipster, and EFL guru, Matthew O’Regan, is all over the clash, and he’s got four picks in mind. Let’s get into James’ Portsmouth v Leeds betting tips.
Portsmouth v Leeds Bet Builder tips
Joel Piroe to score
Over 10.5 corners
Andre Dozzell to be carded
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Sunday, 9th of March, 12pm
WHERE: Fratton Park, Portsmouth
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
It’s no surprise to anybody that Leeds United are on the telly again. The Whites are three points clear at the top of the table, five points ahead of Burnley in third. Daniel Farke’s side have been relentless in recent weeks, winning seven of their last nine games.
The only games they did not win were a 0-0 draw at Burnley and a 1-1 draw at home to Portsmouth.
Despite Illan Meslier’s woes in goal, Leeds have kept a clean sheet in six of these games, further cementing themselves as the best team in the league. They have scored the most goals (72) and conceded the second-fewest (22). They boast the best home record in the league and the third-best away record. Leeds are good.
Debates about teams’ suitability for Premier League football once promoted from the Championship have been raging. It looks like two consecutive years of the promoted trio being relegated with a whimper.
However, this Leeds team feels different, with Farke displaying the necessary pragmatism that may see his side pick up a few points on the road.
Joel Piroe to score
Despite going into the season as the perceived second-choice striker, Joel Piroe has made the starting berth his own, with his 15 goals putting him top of the goalscoring charts.
The 25-year-old averages 0.62 goals per 90 from 0.44 xG, highlighting his extraordinary ball-striking ability.
Over 10.5 corners
Another element of Leeds’s game, similar to Sunday’s hosts, is their intensity. When they smell blood, they do not relent and look to get the ball wide and quickly. This leads to increased corner counts, with Leeds averaging 7.46 corners per game—the most in the league.
However, the caveat to backing corners in matches involving Leeds is that their 3.06 conceded per game is the lowest in the league.
That low total should not deter corner-backers, as hosts Portsmouth boast impressive corner numbers. Pompey have been a breath of fresh air on their return to the Championship.
In recent weeks, Fratton Park has become a fortress, with John Mousinho’s side taking 29 points from 17 at home, losing just once since October. The boisterous atmosphere from the intense crowd spurs the home side on and often sees them pin their opposition deep in their half.
Portsmouth are averaging 7.71 corners per home game – a total only bettered by Leeds at Elland Road. Sunday should be lively, with both teams going for the jugular in attack, leading to plenty of corners.
Andre Dozzell to be carded
Andre Dozzell will likely be starting centre midfield again for the hosts—the 25-year-old averages 1.45 fouls and 0.37 yellow cards per 90 this season.
Against Leeds, 22 centre midfielders have been booked, including Dozzell in the reverse fixture.
Portsmouth v Leeds Bet Builder tips
Joel Piroe to score
Over 10.5 corners
Andre Dozzell to be carded
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
READ MORE
- Shoot on over to Paddy Power News for the best Football Betting Tips & News
- Premier League Tips: Joe Cole’s bumper 42/1 & 8/1 Bet Builders on Sunday
- Crouchy’s Shouts: Arsenal turnover Man United in 5/1 Sunday Bet Builder
- Premier League title odds: Who will win the crown this season?
- Introducing Super Sub 2.0: Now with even more markets, including a raft of 2+ and 3+ options!
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
