Carling Cup football - Stevenage vs Portsmouth betting preview

Portsmouth may have recently won their case against the tax-man but they tasted defeat on the pitch at the weekend, losing 2-0 at Coventry to dampen hopes of an instant return to the Premier League. Results at this stage of the season should not be taken too seriously but the team from the South Coast have a threadbare squad and are without the resources necessary to improve it.

Tonight they travel to Stevenage in the first round of the Carling Cup. Pompey are 11/8 (bet £80 to win £110 profit) with Ladbrokes to beat their newly-promoted opponents, who stormed to an 11-point Blue Square Premier title last season. The hosts are available at 21/10 with Bet 365 and the draw is 11/4 on Betfair.

Home advantage for the underdogs means the bookmakers seem to think it will be a close match and a 1-1 draw has been made the favourite score for the game at 6/1 in most places, with 1-0 to Pompey at 9/1 on Betfair and 2-0 at 12/1 with Sky Bet. 11/1 is available on Betfair that the game finishes goalless and Stevenage are 9/1 with Paddy Power and Bet 365 to add to the visitor`s woes with a 1-0 win.

David Nugent, who scored six times on loan at Burnley last season, is 6/1 favourite to open the scoring tonight with Victor Chandler, and he is followed in the betting by veteran Kanu and John Utaka, both 15/2 with the same firm. Kanu, however, must sign a contract if he is feature in the match at all. Victor Chandler are also top price on Stevenage`s Charlie Griffin and Yemi Odubade, offering 17/2.

Coral offer 10/3 that Pompey lead tonight at both half-time and full-time and if they are in better shape and 11/2 on Betfair to win the match after drawing at half-time. Stevenage/Stevenage is 5/1 on the exchange, with the same price available that both halves are drawn. However, given that Steve Cotterill admits his team are not at full fitness yet, Pompey/draw at 17/1 on Betfair may be good value, especially after Stevenage`s late leveller in their last fixture.

The match kicks off tonight at 7.45 pm and is live on Sky Sports 3.

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