Portsmouth vs Arsenal Prediction FA Cup 11.01.2026
Portsmouth vs Arsenal Prediction FA Cup
Portsmouth vs Arsenal Prediction and Betting Tips for the FA Cup Third Round, scheduled for Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 14:00 GMT. The match will be broadcast live on Discovery+ and TNT Sports 1. The historic Fratton Park will host this David vs Goliath encounter, where the Premier League leaders face a side fighting to stay in the second tier. While the gulf in class is obvious, the magic of the cup often ignores the league table. In this article, you’ll discover Soccer Predictions from XpertStats tipsters.
- Arsenal are currently leading the Premier League but have exited the FA Cup in the third round for two consecutive years.
- Portsmouth are struggling in the Championship, sitting just one point above the relegation zone.
- The Gunners boast the best defense in the top flight, conceding only 14 goals in 21 competitive league matches.
- Pompey have failed to beat Arsenal in 22 attempts, with their last victory over them coming way back in 1958.
- Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his squad, potentially handing starts to players like Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus.
- Portsmouth’s injury list is extensive, with key players like Mark Kosznovszky and Josh Murphy definitely ruled out for Sunday.
Portsmouth comes into this daunting fixture under a dark cloud after a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Bristol City. John Mousinho’s men are currently 21st in the Championship, barely keeping their heads above water. To make matters worse, the treatment room is packed. Losing Mark Kosznovszky to a long term knee injury is a massive blow, and the absence of Josh Murphy leaves them thin in attack. Still, a frozen pitch last week gave them a bit of extra rest. Can they use that fresh energy to rattle the giants? It is hard to say how this will end, but Fratton Park will be rocking regardless of the league position.
History certainly is not on the side of the hosts. They have not tasted victory against the North Londoners since 1958. That is a lifetime ago in football terms. Even so, Pompey fans will remember their 2008 triumph and hope for a spark of that old spirit. Their home form has been a small silver lining lately, losing only once in their last six games by the coast. They will need to be perfect defensively, which is a big ask for a team that just let in five goals. Mousinho knows his side are the ultimate underdogs here. That is a bold move to play open football, so expect them to sit deep and pray for a counter attack.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are flying high at the summit of the English game. Mikel Arteta has built a machine that is notoriously difficult to break down, boasting the best defensive record in the country. However, the FA Cup has been a bit of a thorn in their side lately. Crashing out in the third round in back to back seasons is not a habit they want to keep. Will Arteta risk his big stars with a busy schedule ahead? Probably not. We will likely see the likes of Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli getting the nod. It’s a chance for those squad players to prove they belong in the starting eleven for the title run in.
Despite the likely rotation, the Gunners should have far too much quality for a depleted Portsmouth. The addition of Eze has added a new dimension to their midfield, and he will be hungry to add to his goal tally. Even with a second string lineup, the tactical discipline Arteta demands is usually enough to see off lower league opposition. That said, football has a funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. If Arsenal start slowly, the Fratton Park crowd will definitely let them know about it. Soccer Predictions suggest a professional job from the visitors, but they cannot afford to be complacent in such a hostile environment.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta prepares for Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Portsmouth with a focus on squad rotation. While Kai Havertz may return following an increased training load, the trip to Fratton Park comes too early for the injured Riccardo Calafiori. Arteta hinted at starting Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, emphasizing the need to manage player minutes ahead of a demanding schedule featuring four consecutive away fixtures.
| GK | Schmid |
| DF | Devlin, Shaughnessy, Poole, Swanson |
| MF | Dozzell, Pack Segecic, Chaplin, Blair |
| FW | Bishop |
| OUT |
M. Pack(QUES),
C. Bishop(QUES),
M. Kosznovszky(OUT),
H. Matthews(OUT),
J. Murphy(OUT),
C. Lang(OUT),
J. Knight(OUT),
C. Ogilvie(OUT),
T. Waddingham(OUT),
F. Bianchini(OUT)
|
| GK | Arrizabalaga |
| DF | White, Salmon, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly |
| MF | Merino, Norgaard, Eze |
| FW | Madeuke, Martinelli, Jesus |
| OUT |
P. Hincapie(QUES),
K. Havertz(QUES),
R. Calafiori(OUT),
C. Mosquera(OUT),
M. Dowman(OUT)
|
Arsenal entering this match as heavy favorites is an understatement. Even with Mikel Arteta expected to rotate his squad heavily, the depth at his disposal is staggering. Players like Gabriel Jesus and Eberechi Eze would be undisputed starters for almost any other team in Europe. Portsmouth are currently in a tailspin, reeling from a 5-0 loss and missing nearly half a dozen key starters due to injury. The defensive stats tell the story: Arsenal have the best defense in the Premier League, while Portsmouth are one of the lowest scorers in the Championship. It is difficult to see how a depleted Pompey attack penetrates the Gunners' backline. Arsenal have a point to prove after two early exits in this competition, and they will likely want to wrap this game up early to avoid any drama. A two goal margin of victory feels like a very safe bet given the current trajectory of both clubs.
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FAQ – Portsmouth vs Arsenal Prediction
Who is the favorite to win between Portsmouth and Arsenal?
Arsenal are the clear favorites due to their position at the top of the Premier League and Portsmouth's current struggles in the Championship relegation battle.
Where can I watch Portsmouth vs Arsenal live?
The Portsmouth vs Arsenal FA Cup match will be broadcast live on Discovery+ and TNT Sports 1.
What time does Portsmouth vs Arsenal start?
Kick-off is scheduled for 14:00 (GMT) on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Will Arsenal rotate their squad for this match?
Yes, Mikel Arteta is expected to make several changes to rest key players, with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus likely to start.
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Alexandru Florin is a football betting expert, providing tips and accumulator predictions for xpertstats.com since 2022. With a strong focus on data-driven analysis, he delivers well-researched insights and reliable advice for bettors aiming for long-term profit.
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