EFL League One outfit Reading FC travel to Fratton Park to play Championship side Portsmouth FC in the first round of EFL Cup fixtures on Tuesday, 12 August.
Keep close tabs on EFL Cup betting tips after viewing our key Portsmouth vs Reading tips below.
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Portsmouth vs Reading prediction: Pompey to triumph at Fratton Park
Key stats
- Portsmouth are undefeated in 12 straight fixtures, including six pre-season friendlies.
- The hosts haven’t tasted a home defeat since falling 2-1 to Plymouth Argyle in March.
- Reading are winless in five successive games, including three friendlies (D1, L4).
- The Royals are unbeaten in eight of their last 10 games on away turf (W4, D4, L2).
Correct score prediction: Portsmouth 2-0 Reading
Having emerged victorious in their opening Championship game of the season against Oxford United, Portsmouth will be brimming with confidence to claim a similar result in the EFL Cup.
John Mousinho’s men ended last season unbeaten in their final five games, and took it to the next level in their preseason – winning five of their six club friendlies while conceding none.
Meanwhile, Reading are not in the best shape ahead of this cup opener, following back-to-back losses in their opening two League One fixtures.
Noel Hunt knows it will take twice the effort to beat Portsmouth, who are favourites to progress to the next round. Expect Pompey to beat the visitors and extend their unbeaten streak comfortably.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies back Pompey
- HOME: 5/6 (1.83) – 54.6%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.7%
- AWAY: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The hosts haven’t conceded a single goal since the end of last season, keeping clean sheets in each of their last seven outings. Bookmakers back Portsmouth with 5/6 (1.83) odds – suggesting a 54.6% win probability rate in their first home fixture of the season.
For Reading, though, the chances seem bleak after their poor start to the campaign. They carry 16/5 (4.20) odds, implying a minority 23.8% chance of success away at Portsmouth.
Visit our football betting tips page for more free predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Portsmouth with the upper hand
Portsmouth have won each of their last three H2Hs, striking four past Reading in back-to-back matches, including a couple of weeks ago when they met in a club friendly. However, the last time these two sides met in the EFL Cup in 2015, the Royals beat Pompey 2-1 to progress to the Round of 16.
UK Friendlies 26/07/25
Reading
Portsmouth
England League 1 17/02/24
Portsmouth
Reading
England League 1 28/10/23
Reading
Portsmouth
England EFL Cup 25/08/15
Portsmouth
Reading
Portsmouth preview: One missing
Harvey Blair is the only absentee for Mousinho’s outfit.
Predicted lineup: Schmid (GK), Williams, Poole, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie, Swift, Dozzell, Segecic, Lang, Min-Hyuk & Bishop
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Hull
1
Portsmouth
1
England Championship 26/04/25
D
Sheff Wed
1
Portsmouth
1
England Championship 21/04/25
W
Watford
0
Portsmouth
1
England Championship 18/04/25
W
Norwich
3
Portsmouth
5
England Championship 12/04/25
D
Derby
2
Portsmouth
2
Reading preview: Can they put up a fight?
Paudie O’Connor and Andy Yiadom are both sidelined for the visitors.
Predicted lineup: Pereira (GK), Abrefa, Burns, Sticklan, Jacob, Fraser, Elliott, Savage, Doyle, O’Mahony & Lane
England League 1 03/05/25
L
Barnsley
4
Reading
2
England League 1 26/04/25
W
Bristol Rovers
0
Reading
2
England League 1 21/04/25
W
Mansfield
1
Reading
5
England League 1 18/04/25
L
Lincoln City
1
Reading
0
England League 1 12/04/25
D
Northampton
0
Reading
0
Player to watch: Colby Bishop
Bishop is one of the favourites to find the back of the net and open his account for the 2025/26 campaign. The 28-year-old forward struck a brace in the 4-0 victory over Reading on 26 July, and he could do the damage once more as Portsmouth look to make it back-to-back wins to kick off their season.