Our West Ham United vs Portsmouth predictions take centre stage on Saturday for the first round of the Carabao Cup. It’s a step up in class for Pompey, but John Mousinho’s side have shown they can travel and cause problems on their day.
The Hammers go in as heavy favourites, unbeaten through pre-season and with far more firepower at their disposal. Portsmouth, meanwhile, arrive shorn of a lengthy list of absentees — a stretched squad that leaves them up against it on the road.
West Ham vs Portsmouth predictions & betting tips
| Our prediction | Odds & bookmaker | Confidence | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jarrod Bowen to score anytime | 5/4 Sky Bet | ★★ | Bowen is West Ham’s talisman and primary goal threat, and he lines up against a Portsmouth defence missing several first-choice bodies. As the Hammers’ focal point and penalty option, the England man is fancied to get on the scoresheet against stretched Championship opposition. |
| Over 3.5 goals | 11/8 William Hill | ★★ | West Ham’s attacking quality against a heavily depleted Pompey back line should produce chances aplenty, and Portsmouth carry enough on the break through Colby Bishop to threaten at the other end. With the gulf in resources so wide, this has the makings of a high-scoring evening at the London Stadium. |
Odds correct at time of writing. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org.
How both teams head into West Ham vs Portsmouth
West Ham United
West Ham completed their pre-season unbeaten (2W, 3D), tuning up nicely for the new campaign. There are goals throughout this squad, and a home tie against Championship opposition is the ideal opportunity to build momentum and get sharp before the Premier League begins.
With Jarrod Bowen leading the line and support from the likes of Maxwel Cornet and Taty, the Hammers have a clear edge in quality and finishing. The expectation is a comfortable home win, with the only question how many they rack up against a depleted visiting defence.
Portsmouth
Pompey’s warm-up was a mixed bag (2W, 3D, 2L), and they come into the tie badly hit by absentees. A trip to a Premier League side is a stern early test, and the priority will be to stay compact, frustrate the hosts and keep the tie alive for as long as possible.
With as many as seven players sidelined, Mousinho’s options are stretched thin. Colby Bishop leading the line offers a focal point on the counter, but shutting out West Ham’s attacking talent over 90 minutes at the London Stadium is a huge ask for a makeshift group.
West Ham vs Portsmouth team news
West Ham United Team news
Tomas Soucek is out with an ankle problem picked up at the World Cup. Keiber Lamadrid faces two to three weeks out after a friendly injury. New signing Joel Veltman could be involved following his move from Brighton.
Portsmouth Team news
Portsmouth will miss Josef Bursik, Conor Ogilvie, Jacob Farrell, Marlon Pack, Mark Kosznovszky, Harvey Blair and Josh Murphy. Winger Franco Umeh faces an assessment after leaving a training match.
West Ham vs Portsmouth head-to-head
With the clubs having spent recent years in different divisions, there’s no relevant recent head-to-head to draw on. That leaves the pecking order clear: a Premier League side at home against Championship opponents missing a swathe of first-team players. Class, home advantage and available bodies all sit heavily with West Ham.
West Ham vs Portsmouth prediction
Portsmouth will set up to stay in the tie and hit on the counter, and Bishop gives them a chance of a goal to show for their efforts. But West Ham simply have too much attacking quality, and against a side missing seven players the hosts should pull clear. Expect the Hammers to win comfortably in an entertaining, goal-filled tie.