'Couldn't be bigger' - Sky Sports pundit delivers Portsmouth v Derby prediction

Ex-striker and current Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes Pompey’s clash with Derby County on Monday night could have ‘massive’ implications at both ends of the table.

The Blues have taken just one point from their past four matches, and that, coupled with the unexpectedly good form of those below them, has dragged them right back into the relegation scrap.

Up next is a home match against a Rams side sitting eighth in the table and just three points off the play-off places amid an excellent season. However, John Eustace’s side have suffered damaging defeats to the likes of Ipswich, Hull City and Millwall across the last couple of months, so there is no more room for error.

Monday night clash vs Derby ‘massive’ for Pompey

Goodman has looked ahead to Monday’s crucial meeting at Fratton Park, speaking of the magnitude of the occasion as Pompey look to keep those below them at bay, and Derby chase down those above them.

‘It's a massive game for both Derby and Portsmouth. If Derby lose, they're likely to drop further away from the play-off race, which is now getting to the business end of the season,’ Goodman said speaking exclusively to The Portsmouth News via bovada.lv.

‘At the moment, Derby are six points off Wrexham. If Derby lose (against Pompey), you're talking a gap of six points with eight games to go. That’s a tall order for any team, so it’s huge for Derby to get a result to keep the pressure on.

‘Portsmouth have been dragged back into a relegation battle by the fact that teams that hadn’t won any games in 10 or 11 matches, like Leicester City, are getting results and have found a fighting spirit under Gary Rowett. Oxford United have now gone and claimed 10 points from four games. It is incredible.

‘West Brom still have drawn three of the last five, but they succumbed to an added-time equaliser against a very good Southampton team.

‘Even though West Brom didn’t win, the performance levels have increased from where they were at other stages this season.

‘The battle at the bottom, but particularly Oxford’s form, has dragged Portsmouth right back in it when it looked like they weren't going to be part of a relegation scrap.

‘Portsmouth have 10 games to go, but I just think their away form is not great, so home form is just going to be so key, and Monday night couldn't be bigger.

‘Portsmouth’s last away win was at The Den when they beat Millwall, it was incredible. A 3-1 victory, and at that point, they'd beaten Charlton away and Millwall away back-to-back, and you thought that's them done and staying up. Since then, they've lost to Wrexham, Hull City and drawn when they really shouldn't have away at Blackburn, where they were far superior.

‘Then, after losing at home against Swansea at Fratton Park, they are right back in it (relegation battle) when I didn't think they would be three or four games ago. I thought theywere safe, but Oxford winning three and drawing one has really put the cat amongst the pigeons at the bottom of the table.

‘Portsmouth have QPR away, then they've got Oxford at home over Easter, which is huge. They have to reset themselves, particularly for this game on Monday night.

‘Derby are hard side to play against, as all John Eustace teams are. Derby are having a brilliant season in general, but still have the odd poor result in them, so it's a game that Portsmouth will be targeting to get a result.

‘A home game against Derby County, Portsmouth will be all over that, thinking that they need to get three points. However, if results go against them, they could be in the bottom three and even closer to the mire.’

‘Incredible’ relegation battle going down to the wire

Things couldn’t be tighter at the bottom of the Championship right now. Sheffield Wednesday have long been cut adrift, with -6 points on the board and just one win from 37 matches.

However, above the Owls, West Brom, Oxford, Leicester, Blackburn and Portsmouth are separated by just three points – with two of those five destined to be playing in League One next season.

Exciting for the neutral but torture for those involved, Goodman has assessed this ‘incredible’ relegation battle.

‘It’s an incredible battle for relegation this season,’ he added. ‘Obviously, Sheffield Wednesday have gone, and of the five above them [Sheffield Wednesday], two of them are going to go, and it’s some big clubs in the mix.

‘Leicester City, West Brom, Blackburn are all Premier League clubs, and with the exception of Oxford United, that bottom five have all been in the Premier League in recent times.

‘Blackburn are actually one of the few clubs that have won the Premier League. Nobody can ever take that away from them, but I don't think we expected Blackburn to be in a relegation battle this season. We probably expected them to be mid-table.

‘Portsmouth, you thought they might kick on from last season and have had their spells.

‘QPR have got the points on the board, so I think they could be fine from relegation, but if they had four or so less points, they’d be right in there.’

While the above means the pressure will be right on Pompey, Goodman is confident the Fratton Park faithful can make it a difficult night for Derby.

‘Every time I go to Portsmouth and to Fratton Park, I love it. It's a traditional, brilliant football ground. The supporters actually realise what an important role they play and so they get right behind their team,’ said Goodman.

‘The fans are going to make it hard for Derby County and will no doubt play their part.

‘Fratton Park is one of my favourite traditional grounds, but I love Loftus Road too. I’ve been retired from playing for 23 years now, and all these new beautiful modern stadiums that you’ve got now, there were loads of them, there weren’t that many of them back when I was playing!’

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