Portsmouth face Championship drop battle as bookies predict relegation odds

Fratton Park faithful braced as Pompey odds-on for League One return

Despite impressive start to the season, bookmakers believe Pompey set for the drop

Portsmouth fans are facing an anxious wait for the conclusion of the Championship season as bookmakers predict a high chance of relegation to League One. Despite sitting 12th in the table and eight points clear of the relegation zone, the Fratton Park faithful are braced for a nervy end to the campaign.

According to the latest odds from leading bookmakers, Pompey are now odds-on to drop out of the Championship. Betfair, William Hill, and Paddy Power all price Pompey at 4/6 to be relegated, while Sky Bet go slightly shorter at 1/2. Only three sides - Huddersfield, Blackpool, and Wigan - are considered more likely to suffer relegation by the bookmakers.

Pompey's slide down the table in recent months has coincided with a poor run of form that has seen them win just twice in their last 12 league outings. Danny Cowley's side has also failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last nine matches, conceding 19 goals in the process.

The poor defensive record is a major concern for Pompey, who have now shipped 61 goals in 37 league games this season – the joint-worst record in the Championship. Pompey's struggles at the back have been compounded by a lack of goalscoring threat, with only bottom club Huddersfield Town finding the net less frequently.

With just 11 games remaining, Pompey know that they need to improve their form dramatically if they are to avoid the drop. The next match against Millwall at Fratton Park on Saturday will be crucial, with a win potentially moving Pompey nine points clear of the relegation zone.

However, a defeat could see Pompey dragged back into the relegation battle, with several of their remaining fixtures coming against sides currently in the bottom half of the table. Pompey fans will be hoping that their team can rediscover their early-season form and secure their Championship status.