Bristol City vs Portsmouth Prediction and Betting Tips | January 1st 2026    

Bristol City will welcome Portsmouth to Ashton Gate Stadium in the EFL Championship on Thursday. The hosts are in search of points to hit the top five following a setback in their previous matches, while the visitors are stuck in a relegation battle.

Bristol City vs Portsmouth Preview

Bristol City lost their previous match against Millwall 2-1 on the road, which thwarted the hosts' push in the standings. They sit eighth on 36 points but could have leapt to the fifth spot if they had snatched maximum points at The Den. Bristol City will be looking to get back to winning ways against a team in decline.

The Robins finished sixth out of 24 teams last season, earning a passage to the play-offs, but were crushed by Sheffield United 6-0 in the semi-finals. The hosts will certainly give it another try this term, but they could also be aiming for a direct qualification by finishing in the top two. Bristol are trailing the second spot by just seven points.

Portsmouth have been in a relegation battle for much of this campaign, sinking and popping out of the drop zone. Things appear to be improving thanks to their recent run of four matches without a defeat. They prevailed at home over Charlton 2-1 on matchday 24, but will need to maintain consistency to be able to beat the drop.

Pompey sit in the 21st spot, a place above the relegation zone, on 25 points – although they still have one game in hand. A win on Thursday could move them two places further in the table. However, their trips have been disastrous of late, with four losses in their last five away matches.

Bristol City vs Portsmouth Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• Bristol City have won thrice, drawn once and lost once in their last five matches against Portsmouth.
• Bristol City have won twice and drawn thrice in their last five matches at home against Portsmouth.
• Bristol City have won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their last five matches at home.
• Portsmouth have drawn once and lost four times in their last five matches on the road.
• Bristol City have won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their last five matches while Portsmouth have won twice, drawn twice and lost once. Form Guide: Bristol City – L-W-W-L-D, Portsmouth – W-D-D-W-L.

Bristol City vs Portsmouth Prediction

Bristol City will be without up to four key players, including Max Bird and Joe Williams, due to diverse injury situations.

Portsmouth’s injury situation appears even worse, with seven players, including Jacob Farrell and Joss Murphy, set to miss this clash.

Bristol City are the favorites based on form and home advantage.

Prediction: Bristol City 2-1 Portsmouth

Bristol City vs Portsmouth Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - Bristol City to win

Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes

Tip 3: Bristol City to score first – Yes

Tip 4: Portsmouth to score - Yes

Edited by Peter P