Portsmouth vs Charlton Prediction & Betting Tips (29 December)

Portsmouth approach this meeting with Charlton in a period marked by mixed emotions and fluctuating momentum. Recent weeks have seen them hovering around the Championship drop zone, with manager John Mousinho insisting that the league table is “irrelevant” at this stage as long as performances continue to improveThe News. Their Boxing Day draw against QPR extended their unbeaten run to three league matches, though frustration lingered after surrendering a first‑half leadThe News. Earlier in December, they showed resilience with a 2‑1 win over Blackburn and a hard‑earned 1‑1 draw at Derby, results that helped steady the ship after a difficult runSports Mole.

Charlton, meanwhile, have endured a turbulent stretch both on and off the pitch. Their most recent headline came from the abandoned match against Portsmouth at The Valley earlier this month, halted after just 12 minutes due to a medical emergency in the crowd that tragically resulted in the death of a supporterSky News+1. On the footballing side, Charlton have struggled for form, suffering defeats to Wrexham, Southampton, Stoke City and league leaders Coventry in recent weeks, continuing a worrying slide after their narrow win over West Brom last monthGiveMeSport. Their inability to halt this downward trend has placed increasing pressure on the squad.

The abandoned fixture between these two sides adds an unusual emotional backdrop to this rescheduled meeting. Portsmouth’s players and staff were praised for their patience and understanding during the incident at The Valley, and both clubs issued statements expressing condolences and solidarity with the affected family and supportersSky News+1. Since then, Portsmouth have shown signs of tactical cohesion, particularly in their strong first‑half display against QPR, which Mousinho described as one of their best of the seasonThe News. Charlton, conversely, have been searching for stability, struggling to find rhythm or consistency as losses continue to accumulate.

Given the contrasting trajectories but shared need for points, this encounter carries significant weight for both clubs. Portsmouth’s recent performances suggest they are capable of controlling long stretches of matches, yet their recurring issue of conceding from set pieces remains a concernThe News. Charlton’s form is undeniably poor, but their urgency to halt the slide could make them more competitive than recent results imply. With both sides showing vulnerabilities and neither consistently converting dominance into victories, a balanced contest feels likely. Our prediction is a 1‑1 correct score.