Portsmouth welcome Derby County to Fratton Park on September 1, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 18:45 local time. The fourth round of the Championship brings together two teams seeking an immediate response after defeats on August 29. Portsmouth sit 16th with one win and two losses, while 21st-placed Derby remain without a league victory after recording one draw and two defeats. Their opening three rounds have produced 21 goals in total, reflecting the defensive problems experienced by both sides. Portsmouth are averaging 1.7 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per Championship match, while Derby average 1.0 scored and 2.3 allowed. With neither team having established consistent form, this Portsmouth vs Derby County preview points towards a competitive contest in which the early stages could be particularly important.

Portsmouth Recent Form and Key Statistics

Portsmouth enter this home fixture after losing 2-1 against Bristol City on August 29. Their first three Championship results have delivered one victory and two defeats, with the sole success coming in a 3-1 win over Lincoln. That result was positioned between two league losses, leaving Pompey in need of greater consistency as they prepare for their second home opportunity to collect three points.

The wider sequence also underlines their uneven start. Portsmouth have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five matches, scoring an average of 1.2 goals and conceding 1.8 per game during that period. Their League Cup campaign included a 3-1 defeat against West Ham United, meaning they have conceded nine times across their four matches in all competitions this season.

Despite those defensive difficulties, Portsmouth have maintained a reliable scoring run. They have found the net in each of their last 13 matches across all competitions and in their last 12 Championship fixtures. Their current league averages of 1.7 goals for and 2.0 against suggest that attacking output has not been enough to compensate fully for the number of chances conceded. At Fratton Park, the hosts will therefore look to extend their scoring streak while producing a more controlled performance without the ball.

• Championship record: one win and two defeats.
• Last five matches: one win, one draw and three losses.
• Average across those five games: 1.2 goals scored and 1.8 conceded.
• Portsmouth have scored in each of their last 12 Championship matches.

Derby County Recent Form and Key Statistics

Derby County make the trip after a 3-0 home loss to Swansea City, their heaviest defeat of the season so far. It was also the first time Derby had failed to score during the campaign. More concerningly, that result extended a sequence in which they have conceded at least two goals in four consecutive matches. Their only Championship point came from a 2-2 draw with Cardiff.

The visitors have registered no wins, two draws and three defeats across their last five outings. Over that sequence, they averaged 1.0 goal scored and 2.0 conceded per match. Their Championship numbers are similarly difficult: one goal scored and 2.3 conceded on average, alongside a record of one draw and two losses. Derby have also lost seven of their last 10 away matches, adding another challenge to a fixture against opponents who have scored consistently.

There are nevertheless signs that Derby can contribute offensively. They have scored at least once in 37 of their last 40 matches, despite being shut out by Swansea in their latest appearance. Their games also frequently produce early action. At least one first-half goal has been recorded in each of Derby County's last 11 away Championship matches, in 21 of their last 23 matches overall and in 20 of their last 22 Championship fixtures.

Draws have been rare in Derby's recent schedule. The Rams have avoided a draw in 20 of their last 21 matches across all competitions and in 19 of their last 20 Championship games. Although their only league point this season came from a draw, the longer pattern indicates that their fixtures usually produce a decisive outcome.

• Championship record: no wins, one draw and two defeats.
• Last five matches: two draws and three losses.
• Derby have conceded two or more goals in four consecutive matches.
• Each of their last 11 away Championship games has contained a first-half goal.

Portsmouth vs Derby County Match Analysis

The available figures present a finely balanced Championship match. The win probabilities give Portsmouth 38%, a draw 27% and Derby County 35%. Home advantage gives Pompey a narrow statistical edge, but their three defeats in the last five matches and average of two goals conceded per league game prevent them from approaching this contest with a clear superiority.

Derby's defensive record creates an opportunity for a Portsmouth side carrying long scoring streaks. However, the hosts have also conceded regularly, while Derby had scored in every match this season before the Swansea defeat and have found the net in 37 of their last 40 fixtures. The supplied both-teams-to-score figures stand at 54% for Yes and 46% for No. The goal-total assessment is even tighter, with Under 2.5 goals at 51% and Over 2.5 at 49%, so the evidence does not establish a strong preference on the full-match total.

Recent meetings provide some encouragement for the visitors. The last head-to-head finished 1-0 to Derby County on March 16, 2026. Across the stated five-match head-to-head summary, Portsmouth have no wins, three draws and two defeats, averaging 1.0 goal scored and 2.0 conceded. Even so, the current defensive averages and both teams' need to recover from losing outings may make this latest meeting different in rhythm.

The clearest recurring trend concerns the first half. Derby's run of 11 consecutive away Championship matches with at least one goal before the interval is reinforced by the same outcome in 20 of their last 22 league games. Portsmouth's record of scoring in 12 straight Championship fixtures adds further support to the possibility of an early breakthrough. While the result and overall goal total remain closely balanced, a first-half goal is the strongest conclusion supported by the supplied statistics.

Portsmouth vs Derby County prediction from BetMines: Over 0.5 goals at Half-Time with 75% probability.