Sunderland v Portsmouth: Predictions, Lineups & Odds (05/01)

Portsmouth make the long trip north to the Stadium of Light to take on playoff chasing Sunderland looking for a second win on the spin and to edge further away from the drop zone.

Our Predictions
EFL Championship League icon

EFL Championship

Sun, Jan 53 00  
Sunderland AFC   logo
Sunderland AFC
vs
Portsmouth   logo
Portsmouth
Our prediction

Over 2.5 Goals

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Our 3 Predictions For Sunderland v Portsmouth:

  • 1st Prediction For Sunderland v Portsmouth: Over 2.5 Goals – 4/5
  • 2nd Prediction For Sunderland v Portsmouth: Match Result – Sunderland – 40/85
  • 3rd Prediction For Sunderland v Portsmouth: Both Teams To Score – Yes – 19/20

1st Prediction For Sunderland v Portsmouth: Over 2.5 Goals – 4/5

Portsmouth’s recent matches have all been packed with goals, with each of their last five encounters containing three or more goals. The hosts have seen three of their last four matches end with over 2.5 goals and the two previous meetings between these sides have contained exactly four goals.

2nd Prediction For Sunderland v Portsmouth: Match Result – Sunderland – 40/85

Sunderland’s impressive form at the Stadium of Light, where they remain unbeaten, coupled with Portsmouth’s poor from away from Fratton Park makes it hard to look past a win for the hosts in this fixture.

3rd Prediction For Sunderland v Portsmouth: Both Teams To Score – Yes – 19/20

Both these teams have scored nine goals in their previous five outings and Sunderland have failed to keep a clean sheet for eight matches. Matches involving these two teams have contained 130 goals so far this season.

Best Odds For Sunderland v Portsmouth:

Bookmaker Sunderland Draw Portsmouth
MyriadPlay 23/50 17/5 109/20
Gentleman Jim 40/85 10/3 11/2
Betarno 4/9 10/3 11/2

Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head:

Sunderland overcame a sticky patch of five draws and one defeat in six games during November to sit fourth in the Championship on 47 points from 25 games.

Regis Le Bris’ side are now on a run of just one defeat in seven and managed a vital 2-1 victory over playoff rivals Sheffield United last time out.

The Mackems have lost host four times all season in the league and are still unbeaten at home after 12 matches on their own turf. Top scorer Wilson Isidor netted his seventh of the season in the victory over Sheffield United and the on loan Zenit St Petersburg forward has two in his three outings.

Portsmouth make the near 700 mile round trip to the Stadium of Light on a mixed run of form but one that is keeping their head above water as they sit one point above the drop zone.

Pompey have taken six points from the last 12 available and have managed four wins in their last nine games. This is in stark contrast to the start of the season when it took the club until their tenth match to register a victory.

Last time out, John Mousinho’s side dismantled Swansea City and ran out 4-0 victors at Fratton Park.  Josh Murphy scored his fifth of the season before Paddy Lane made it two. Ryley Towler and Colby Bishop rounded off the scoring in the second half.
Pompey’s top scorer is Callum Lang who has scored nine times so far this season, including all four in a 4-1 win over Coventry City just before Christmas.
The meeting between these sides back in August ended in a comprehensive victory for the visitors, Sunderland. The Black Cats were 1-0 after 30 minutes thanks to a Zak Swanson own goal. Six minutes into the second half it was two, as Alan Browne scored from close range. Five minutes later the three points were secure as Romaine Mundle made it three. A late Luke O’Nien own goal brought some consolation for the hosts. The encounter prior to Sunderland’s 3-1 win at Fratton Park came in January 2022 as both sides languished in League One, although Sunderland would go on to gain promotion.
Elliott Embleton netted the only goal of the game at the Stadium of Light just before half time to hand Lee Johnson’s men the three points. The reverse fixture in October 2022 saw Danny Cowley’s Pompey run riot and put four past their visitors to make it a miserable away day for travelling Black Cats. John Marquis helped inspire the hosts with a brace as well as assisting Lee Brown for the second goal after a Marcus Harness opener.Over the previous 12 meetings,  Sunderland are just edging the head to head with five wins to Pompey’s four.

Confrontation

05/01/2025

Championship Championship

Sunderland

Portsmouth

1

0

31/08/2024

Championship Championship

Portsmouth

Sunderland

1

3

Last Results - Sunderland

07/01/2026

Premier League Premier League

Brentford

Sunderland

3

0

L

04/01/2026

Premier League Premier League

Tottenham

Sunderland

1

1

D

01/01/2026

Premier League Premier League

Sunderland

Manchester City

0

0

D

28/12/2025

Premier League Premier League

Sunderland

Leeds

1

1

D

20/12/2025

Premier League Premier League

Brighton

Sunderland

0

0

D

Last Results - Portsmouth

11/01/2026

FA Cup FA Cup

Portsmouth

Arsenal

1

4

L

01/01/2026

Championship Championship

Bristol City

Portsmouth

5

0

L

29/12/2025

Championship Championship

Portsmouth

Charlton

2

1

W

26/12/2025

Championship Championship

Portsmouth

QPR

1

1

D

20/12/2025

Championship Championship

Derby

Portsmouth

1

1

D

Where To Watch Sunderland v Portsmouth:

Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?

  • Location: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
  • Date: January 5th, 2024
  • TV Channel: Sky Sports +

Probable Lineups For Sunderland v Portsmouth:

What sort of lineups can we expect from both sides for this Championship showdown?

Sunderland Lineup:

  • Lineup: A. Patterson, T. Hume, C. Mepham, L. O’Nien, A. Alese, P. Roberts, D. Neil, J. Bellingham, A. Aouchiche, E. Mayenda, W. Isidor
  • Suspended/injury: A. Abdullahi, A. Browne, C. Rigg, D. Ballard, I. Poveda, J. Seelt, N. Huggins, R. Mundle, T. Watson
  • Coach: Regis Le Bris

Portsmouth Lineup:

  • Lineup: N. Schmid, Z. Swanson, M. Pack, R. Towler, C. Ogilvie, F. Potts, A. Dozzell, P. Lane, C. Lang, J. Murphy, C. Bishop
  • Suspended/injured: K. Yengi, M. O’Mahony, R. Poole, W. Norris
  • Coach: John Mousinho

Media Centre – News About Sunderland v Portsmouth:

https://x.com/SunderlandAFC

https://x.com/Pompey

Tom Green is a former primary school teacher turned football writer who has been with The Real EFL for two years. Passionate about football since childhood, he has also contributed to Late Tackle and Gamers Decide. His expertise covers predictions, match previews, and data-driven analysis. Tom has explored topics from Irish players in England’s lower leagues to comprehensive team studies. Holding scouting certificates in opposition analysis and talent identification, he brings a keen analytical perspective to his football writing.

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