Prediction: Leeds vs Portsmouth

Verdict: Leeds win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

With the 2024/25 Championship campaign getting underway this weekend, Leeds will welcome Portsmouth to Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime.

Leeds

Starting with the hosts, suffering major play-off heartbreak at Wembley on May 26th as they fell to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Southampton, Leeds once again have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders this time around. However, although Daniel Farke’s men might have limped their way over the finishing line last season, the former Norwich boss saw his squad sign off their summer preparations with an eye-catching display. Collecting a 2-1 victory against Spanish outfit Valencia, the Yorkshire-based outfit will be looking to use that performance as a platform to build on. Although Leeds might be confident of making a statement of intent at Elland Road, Farke’s camp will know the importance of finding some stability on home soil. In fact, the Whites recorded just a pair of victories from any of their final eight Championship battles in front of their own supporters last season.

Team News

Unable to keep hold of a number of their big-name stars this summer, Leeds have watched both Crysencio Summerville, Glen Kamara and academy graduate Archie Gray complete respective moves away from Elland Road. However, managing to keep hold of attacking talisman Georginio Rutter, the Frenchman will spearhead Farke’s attack in the final third and play a leading role here.

Making his move from Tottenham a permanent one this summer, Wales international Joe Rodon will start at the heart of Leeds’ defence on Saturday lunchtime. In what will be a huge boost for Farke’s squad this weekend, skipper Pascal Struijk will make a first start of 2024.

Portsmouth

As for the visitors, embarking on a real League One fairytale last season as they stormed their way to a first Championship return since 2012, the mood in Portsmouth’s camp should be at a real high. Holding a commanding five-point buffer over the chasing pack last year and remarkably suffering just a single third-tier defeat since the middle of January, John Mousinho’s men will simply be looking to carry on from where they left off back in May. Excited to get their Championship adventure underway on Saturday lunchtime, the one-time Brentford defender will also be excited by his side’s extended success away from Fratton Park. In fact, Pompey were unbeaten in all of their final 10 consecutive League One showdowns on the road last season. Despite being pencilled in as a real underdog contender this weekend, they will prove to be a rugged test for the title candidates.

Team News

Arriving from Oxford United last month after failing to agree on a new deal, former Norwich star Josh Murphy will make his competitive Portsmouth debut at Elland Road. Likewise, leaving Barnsley following the end of his contract in Yorkshire, Jordan Williams could start at left-back this weekend.

Undergoing heart surgery last month following routine medical checks, Portsmouth will be without attacking talisman Colby Bishop on Saturday lunchtime. 21-year-old Abu Kamara could be handed the chance to spearhead Mousinho’s charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Leeds and Portsmouth last met in Championship action way back in February 2012, Saturday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate at Fratton Park.
• Including their Championship play-off final defeat against Southampton on May 26th, Leeds won just a pair of their final nine appearances last season.
• Likewise, Farke’s side won just a pair of their final eight showdowns at Elland Road.
• Portsmouth were unbeaten in all of their final 10 League One appearances away from Fratton Park last season.
• The Blues recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their final seven third-tier matchups last year.

Conclusion

Suffering major heartbreak at Wembley on May 26th as they slumped to that infamous 1-0 loss at the hands of Southampton, Leeds have plenty of pressure on their shoulders this time around. Pencilled in as a standout title contender this season, the Lilywhites will be desperate to lay down an early marker on Saturday lunchtime. While Portsmouth might find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high as they make a first Championship appearance in over a decade, we are backing a home victory this weekend.

Verdict: Leeds win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet