Edwards issues relegation warning for Pompey-bound O’s

The O’s manager has asked for a more disciplined defensive performance at Fratton Park, after watching his side concede seven goals in the last two league matches.

Ahead of the trip to free-scoring Portsmouth, Andy Edwards has conceded that ‘relegation is a serious threat’. Doncaster Rovers, Carlisle United and Colchester United may have scored more league goals than Saturday’s opponents, but ‘Pompey’ have the highest home average with 23 in just 11 matches.

Paul Cook’s Portsmouth side had put together an unbeaten run of five matches to consolidate their fourth position, before losing 3-1 at league leaders Doncaster last time out. They have also failed to score on only one occasion at home this season, which came in a goalless draw with Hartlepool United.

However, closer inspection of their home form suggests there might be an opportunity for the O’s. After winning four and drawing one of their opening five home games, Pompey collected only four points from the next five at Fratton Park, in a run which included the draw with Hartlepool, alongside 2-1 defeats to mid-table Stevenage and struggling Notts County.

Hopefully the team can put the recent matches to Barnet and Exeter City behind them and focus on the positive four-match run that preceded those two disappointing defeats. Although we haven’t won on the road since beating Colchester 0-3 in November, we have still collected a creditable 15 points from 11 matches away from Brisbane Road. We have failed to score in only three of those matches, which suggests there is value in EnergyBet’s 2.01 for both teams to score.

It’s also worth pointing out that since losing to Orient, Colchester won seven of their next nine matches to climb from 22nd to 6th. This shows us that we have the quality to win this game and put together a winning run.

Of the three teams below us, only Cheltenham have won a game since Saturday 19th November. We need to take advantage of this to move more than four points away from the relegation zone.

EnergyBet Match Odds:

Portsmouth 1.41 | Draw 4.15 | Orient 7.60

EnergyBet Expects:

• Both teams to score @ 2.01
• Over 2.5 goals @ 1.77

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