{"id":1172229,"date":"2026-08-27T12:33:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T12:33:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1172229\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T12:33:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T12:33:37","slug":"preview-bristol-city-vs-portsmouth-prediction-team-news-lineups-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1172229\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Bristol City vs Portsmouth – prediction, team news, lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bristol City<\/a> square off against Portsmouth<\/a> on Saturday afternoon still looking for their first win under new boss Michael Skubala<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While the Robins sit in 19th position in the Championship table<\/a><\/strong>, Pompey are as high as 10th place.<\/p>\n

Match preview<\/p>\n

Having decided to leave a successful Lincoln City team for Bristol City, Skubala was always taking a risk.<\/p>\n

Although he will have no regrets at this stage, he would not have anticipated starting the campaign with a 1-0 defeat at home to League Two club Walsall in the EFL Cup.<\/p>\n

That was followed by a 2-0 loss to 2025-26 playoff semi-finalists Millwall, before Bristol City finally showed some life against Birmingham City last time out.<\/p>\n

However, Skubala watched on helplessly as Blues scored late in each half to earn a 2-2 draw, extending Bristol City’s winless streak in the process.<\/p>\n

When including friendlies against Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, that now stands at five matches, emphasising that Skubala is becoming increasingly desperate for his first competitive victory.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago \/ Colorsport<\/p>\n

Portsmouth appeared to be in similar disarray to Bristol City after losing their opening two games of the season.<\/p>\n

John Mousinho<\/a>‘s side suffered 3-1 defeats to West Ham United in the EFL Cup and Queens Park Rangers in their Championship opener.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, Pompey were able to respond with a 3-1 triumph of their own against Lincoln – a potential relegation rival – last weekend.<\/p>\n

Chelsea loanee Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is one of four separate goalscorers for Portsmouth in the league, and there are high expectations for the 17-year-old who earned game time under Xabi Alonso across pre-season.<\/p>\n

Bristol City Championship form:<\/p>\n

Bristol City form (all competitions):<\/p>\n

Portsmouth Championship form:<\/p>\n

Portsmouth form (all competitions):<\/p>\n

Team News<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago \/ IMAGO \/ Pro Sports Images<\/p>\n

Dom Ballard’s wonder goal against Birmingham has put him in contention to replace Lorent Tolaj in the Bristol City attack.<\/p>\n

Adam Randell is available again after serving a suspension, while new signing Elijah Adebayo is expected to be named on the substitutes’ bench.<\/p>\n

Barring any injury issues, Mousinho may be against making changes to his Portsmouth XI.<\/p>\n

However, Ebou Adams scored after his introduction in the second half versus Lincoln, the midfielder now potentially being recalled to replace Rocco Shein.<\/p>\n

Josh Murphy is an injury doubt after picking up an issue after his introduction versus Lincoln.<\/p>\n

Bristol City possible starting lineup:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tickle; Tanner, Dickie, Eissat, Cardines; Knight, Williams; Wallace, Twine, Hirakawa; Ballard<\/p>\n

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Schmid; Devlin, Arthur, Shaughnessy, Swanson; Adams, Pack; Kamara, Segecic, Kavuma-McQueen; Bishop<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

We say: Bristol City 2-1 Portsmouth<\/p>\n

With Portsmouth having impressed last time out, they will relish the chance to take advantage of Bristol City’s slow start. However, Skubala knows that a win is imperative here, and we expect Bristol City to finish strongly to claim all three points.<\/p>\n

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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