Burnley vs Portsmouth prediction, team news and preview

Burnley vs Portsmouth: what the match decides

Burnley host Portsmouth in Championship Round 13 at Turf Moor on Saturday 31 October 2026. The home side sit 22nd in the 24-team table, inside the relegation zone, with eight points from 12 games. Portsmouth are 11th on 18 points, ten clear of their hosts.

For Burnley this is a chance to lift a season that has produced one win in 12. For Portsmouth, a result would keep them in the mid-table pack, with leaders Middlesbrough on 25 points.

Burnley and Portsmouth recent form

Burnley's last five league games read one win, two draws and two defeats, with nine goals scored and nine conceded (1.8 per game each way). They have kept one clean sheet and scored in every game. Four of the five featured both sides scoring and four had over 2.5 goals. The run includes a 4-0 win at Watford, but also a 1-4 defeat at Lincoln last time out.

Their home form is the concern: three home games in that spell brought no wins, two draws and one defeat, with four goals scored and five conceded. They have not kept a clean sheet at Turf Moor in those games.

Portsmouth have won three of their last five, drawn one and lost one, scoring seven and conceding five (1.4 scored and 1.0 conceded per game). They have one clean sheet and failed to score once. Their three away games in that run were a 0-1 loss at Southampton, a 1-0 win at Norwich and a 1-1 draw at Wolves, giving 0.67 goals scored and conceded per game.

Burnley vs Portsmouth team news

Burnley have 11 players listed as out. A. Ahmedhodzic (knock), Z. Amdouni (ankle), J. Beyer (hamstring), B. Humphreys (muscle), H. Mejbri (hamstring) and A. Ramsey (hamstring) are all injured. J. Bruun Larsen and J. Vardy are also out with injuries, and M. Obafemi, S. Sambo and M. Tresor Ndayishimiye are listed as inactive.

Portsmouth have nine absentees: K. Anderson (overload), B. Arthur (back), C. Bishop (knee), L. Brooke-Smith (ankle), M. Kosznovszky (knee), J. Murphy (groin), C. Ogilvie (knee), J. Swift (knee) and C. Shaughnessy (injury). Our data lists no doubtful players for either side.

Line-ups are not yet published and are confirmed about an hour before kick-off.

Key storylines for Burnley and Portsmouth

Burnley's season is defined by draws and defeats: five draws and six losses against one win, with a goal difference of minus eight. They have lost their last two matches, to Wolves at home and Lincoln away, after a 2-2 draw with Charlton. A home result here would at least stop the slide.

Portsmouth arrive with momentum. They beat Sheffield United 3-2 and Millwall 2-1 at home either side of a draw at Wolves, and their goal difference of plus one is the profile of a steady mid-table side. Winning at Turf Moor would be another step towards the top half.

Where Burnley vs Portsmouth could be decided

The main question is whether Burnley's defence can hold. They concede 1.8 goals per game in their last five and 1.67 at home, while Portsmouth have scored in four of their last five matches. A visiting goal looks likely.

At the other end, Burnley have scored in every one of their last five and have averaged 1.8 goals, yet Portsmouth's away games have been tight at 0.67 goals conceded per game. The visitors' injuries, including several knee problems, may limit their depth if the game becomes stretched.

Burnley's own absentee list is longer, and their lack of attacking options could decide how much pressure they can sustain after the break.

Burnley vs Portsmouth head-to-head

The sides have met four times in the Championship: two Burnley wins, one draw and one Portsmouth win. Those games averaged 2.5 goals, with both teams scoring in two and over 2.5 goals in two.

The most recent meetings were a 0-0 draw at Portsmouth in February 2025 and a 2-1 Burnley win at Turf Moor in September 2024. Burnley also won 5-1 at Portsmouth in March 2012, while Portsmouth won 1-0 at Turf Moor in December 2011.

Burnley vs Portsmouth prediction

Our lean is a narrow Portsmouth edge, with a draw a very live outcome. Burnley have not won at home in their last three games, are 22nd, and are missing 11 players. Portsmouth have taken three wins from five and have better numbers at both ends.

On goals, Burnley's matches have been open (four of five with both sides scoring), while Portsmouth's away games have been low-scoring. That points to a moderate total of around two or three goals, with both teams scoring slightly more likely than not. A Burnley response at home, or more Portsmouth absences announced before kick-off, could change the picture.

MATCH PULSE's three AI engines (GPT, Claude and Gemini) publish their independent analysis of the match before kick-off.

How to watch Burnley vs Portsmouth

No official broadcasters are listed in our data for this match. Check the Championship's official broadcast partner in your country and its official app for live coverage.

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