English FA CUP
2026-01-11 - Portsmouth vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English FA Cup Third Round
Sunday 11th January 2025 - Kick Off 2pm
This game is live on TV
Portsmouth
They won the FA Cup in 2008 and reached the Final in 2010, but for Portsmouth fans, the following years have been very concerning with the club almost going out of business and having their lowest ever League finish in 2015. Things have been moving in a positive direction in recent years with the club back into the second tier of English Football, but consolidating at this level is proving to be a real test.
Last season Portsmouth managed to do that, but they are 21st in the Championship table as we move into the second half of the campaign and there is a lot of work to get through if they are going to retain second tier status. The FA Cup is not the priority these days, but Portsmouth have tended to find a way into the Third Round and are in amongst the 'big boys' for the sixth time in eight seasons.
Portsmouth put together a 4 game unbeaten run, which has kept them outside of the bottom three of the Championship, but they were beaten most recently by Bristol City. Playing in front of the passionate support of Fratton Park has always helped Portsmouth and they have lost 1 of the last 6 games here ahead of this big Cup tie.
John Mousinho is likely going to make some changes in this Third Round Cup tie, but the supporters will be expecting Portsmouth to make a real effort at trying to secure the upset.
Arsenal
The management team would likely see it as a point gained following the goalless home draw with Liverpool on Thursday, but Arsenal fans were a little more unsure after an overall disappointing performance. Attention over the next few days will be on domestic Cup competitions and supporters will be keen to see Arsenal finally end the long wait to pick up silverware later this season.
Most will want to see that happen in the Premier League and/or the Champions League, while Arsenal have not been beyond the Fourth Round of the FA Cup since winning the competition in 2020. The Gunners do have a League Cup Semi Final to look forward to next week, but will be keen to avoid a third straight Third Round exit in the FA Cup.
Arsenal's draw with Liverpool have extended the unbeaten run to 8 games in all competitions and they have won 6 of those fixtures played. The side will be chasing a fourth straight away win in all competitions, while earlier this season Arsenal beat Port Vale 0-2 away from home in the League Cup.
The likes of Kepa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Christian Norgaard, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus are expected to earn some playing time as Arsenal show off the squad depth.
Head to Head
Portsmouth were beaten 0-2 by Arsenal in March 2020 in the FA Cup just prior to the Covid lockdown.
While Fratton Park is a tough ground to visit, Arsenal have won 3 times in a row here.
Prediction
You can never be too sure about how manager's and teams will approach FA Cup action, especially in the Third Round.
Most have to expect both John Mousinho and Mikel Arteta to make changes for this tie, but the deeper squad depth of the Premier League leaders is expected to make a difference.
Even with wholesale changes, Arsenal will be bringing in international quality players and they will want to show the manager they deserve to be involved in the big games coming up in the weeks and months ahead.
Playing at Fratton Park will be a test of character, but Arsenal have to believe the quality can shine through even if the club have struggled in the FA Cup since winning the competition in 2020.
Portsmouth will certainly use the home support to get forward and cause problems, but this is a team that will also have plenty of attention on the relegation fight ahead as they look to retain Championship status. That could mean a few too many changes and Arsenal can eventually wear down this opponent for a solid away win.
Like with all of these early FA Cup ties, keeping on top of team news and lowering stakes would always be the recommendation.
The Pick :
Portsmouth 0-2 Arsenal
