Premier League Betting: Portsmouth v Man City

Premier League / Mike Norman / 29 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

Man City's latest recruits Sylvinho and Joleon Lescott highlight the gulf between their new club and Paul Hart's Portsmouth

Recommended Bets; Back Yes @ 2.2 in Man City Clean Sheet market; Back Man City HT/Man City FT @ 2.52; Back 0-1 @ 7.6 and 0-2 @ 8.0 (split stakes)

Both clubs may have new owners, but that's where the similarities end says "Mystical" Mike Norman. City are improving fast whilst Pompey are a sinking ship. Best Bet: Back Yes to Man City Clean Sheet at [2.2]

A match that pits Arab owners v Arab owners - a sure sign that the financial side of the game has come a long way since the days when Michael Knighton volleyed his way down the Old Trafford pitch having had his £2.50 offer to buy Manchester United accepted.

Unfortunately for Portsmouth though, the wealth of new owner Sulaiman Al Fahim - and more importantly how much of it is going to be invested in the club - is still unclear. I've seen all sorts of figures brandished about regarding his assets - from two pork pies and a packet of crisps to £20 billion. What we know for certain however, is that as we stand now, Portsmouth's playing squad is like a clapped out Reliant Robin compared to Man City's Rolls-Royce engine.

Consequently then, it's hard to fathom any reason to back Portsmouth at [6.8] when they host Manchester City ([1.64]) this Sunday lunch-time. The Draw can be backed at [4.0], but even that outcome makes little appeal.

Pompey fans have endured a torturous summer; almost daily having to read or hear about another big name player being sold in order to balance the books. Sylvain Distin is the latest to opt for pastures new, though on the plus side (the plus in this case being no bigger than what you'd find on a Triple A battery) Michael Brown, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Aruna Dindane, Jamie O'Hara and Tommy Smith have all joined Paul Hart's squad in the last few days.

With respect to the above named players, Man City's summer signings - Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Kolo Toure, Roque Santa Cruz, Sylvinho and Joleon Lescott - perfectly demonstrate the gulf (and the direction in which they're both moving) between the two clubs at present.

This is also mirrored in current league form. Portsmouth - played three lost three and just one goal scored; City - played two won two, goals conceded, none.

It'll be no surprise then that Mark Hughes' men are the selection to collect all three points on Sunday. City have scored first half goals in both their Premier League victories this season so a chance is taken on Man City/Man City at [2.52] in the Half Time/Full Time market. You can get matched at around [4.9] (Draw/Man City) if you think it will be the second half before the away side get their noses in front.

One of the golden rules when deciding on either Under or Over 2.5 Goals is to ask yourself if you think both sides are capable of scoring.

In City's case it's an emphatic yes, but in Pompey's case I'd have to say it's unlikely. True, with so much talent in their squad, City are capable of scoring at least three themselves, but until they start doing so regularly, I'm happy to go for Under 2.5 Goals (available to back at [1.92]) in this game. If you disagree, you can back Over 2.5 Goals at [2.06].

The Man City Clean Sheet market is where you will find my best bet for this game however. With a massive difference in quality between the two sides on show, Pompey being poor in attack and City being solid at the back, the [2.2] about the Yes option looks a cracking bet. I was actually very surprised to find the No option the [1.76] favourite in this market.

Whilst I continue to work out Hughes' selection policy (does he rotate, does he play his best 11 etc?) I'm happy to give the First Goalscorer market a swerve, but if you fancy having a bet in the Correct Score market then look no further than 0-1 [7.6] and 0-2 [8.0].

*Portsmouth v Man City is live on Sky Sports 1, Kick-off 1.30pm