‘Big data darlings’: Portsmouth paid huge compliment ahead of Sheffield United test
Pompey sit just one point above the Championship relegation zone ahead of this Saturday’s game against Sheffield United.
Pompey have been branded ‘big data darlings’ after an upturn in form in recent weeks.
That’s according to Ali Maxwell from the popular Not The Top 20 podcast, who has been impressed with the Blues’ defensive solidity following the arrival of Ebou Adams.
John Mousinho’s men have turned their season around over the past two months, which has seen them lose just two of their previous 10 Championship matches.
During that time, of which four have been victories and four have been draws, with their solid run of form moving them out of the relegation zone.
Indeed, the Blues completed 425 passes - 170 more than North End - contributing to 62.3 per cent of possession, while also amassing more shots, crosses, corners as well as a higher xG.
That has been a consistent trend in recent weeks which has been largely driven by the arrival of Adams’ presence in the engine room, with the midfielder picked out by Maxwell and his co-host George Elek as one of the Championship’s best January signings.
How Pompey have become ‘big data darlings’
And Maxwell is expecting the 30-year-old to once again influence proceedings at Fratton Park on Saturday as Pompey face Sheffield United looking for a return to winning ways.
Speaking on the latest podcast, he said: ‘I’m backing Ebou Adams to score any time for Portsmouth at home to Sheffield United at 7/1.
‘Portsmouth are a really, really interesting team to keep an eye on, in particular this fixture at home to another really good side in Sheffield United because Pompey are big data darlings in the last five and last 10.
‘They have started to really perform at the back and keep teams at bay and I think Ebou Adams has had a big impact in all areas.
‘He’s also scored two goals since he joined Pompey. He’s had two shots in each of his last three league games, one target in each of those three.
‘He’s someone from set-piece situations and arriving into the box late where if you look at the physical profile of Peck, Arblaster and Kalvin Phillips, I would really back Ebou Adams in a foot race to get on the end of balls in from wide.
‘I think at 7/1 just based on how he’s looked so far and how aggressive he is in the opposition box, I like Ebou Adams at 7/1.’
Pompey have currently gone two-and-a-half months without tasting a league defeat at Fratton Park, with Mousinho’s men once again turning their home into a fortress.
The Blues welcome a Sheffield United side, who sit six points above them in the standings following their defeat to Middlesbrough on Monday evening.