The Valley prepares for a nerve-wracking “six-pointer” on Tuesday night as Charlton Athletic host Portsmouth in a clash that could have huge ramifications at the bottom of the Championship.
Both sides find themselves glancing nervously over their shoulders, with the latest Championship relegation odds suggesting this fixture is a must-win for survival.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho arrives in South London under immense pressure, featuring prominently in the Championship sack race conversation after a difficult run of form.
Charlton, buoyed by a vital win against Stoke, will smell blood.
With Pompey’s squad decimated by injuries, Nathan Jones will see this as the perfect opportunity to put daylight between themselves and the drop zone.
Charlton vs Portsmouth Best Bets and Betting Tips
Charlton to Win – 6/4
This price looks like exceptional value given the context.
Portsmouth are arriving at The Valley with an injury list that reads like a full starting XI.
Missing key defenders like Poole and Shaughnessy, plus their entire creative engine in Murphy, Chaplin, and Dozzell, leaves them severely weakened.
Charlton, meanwhile, have momentum after their win against Stoke and should have too much quality for a makeshift Pompey side.
Ebou Adams to be Carded – 5/2
In a relegation scrap, the midfield battle is where the war is won, and Ebou Adams is Portsmouth’s primary soldier.
Averaging 0.36 cards per 90 minutes in the Championship this season, he is a serial offender when it comes to breaking up play.
With Dozzell out, Adams will be left with even more defensive responsibility to screen the back four, increasing the likelihood of a cynical foul or a mistimed tackle.
Charlton Over 1.5 Goals – 7/4
Portsmouth’s defensive absences are critical.
Without their first-choice centre-back pairing, they lack organization.
Charlton’s attack, spearheaded by Lyndon Dykes and the energetic Tyreece Campbell, has the physicality to bully a fragile backline.
Expect the Addicks to net at least twice against a side that has struggled to keep clean sheets on the road.
Key Stats & Trends
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Injury Crisis: Portsmouth are missing at least 9 first-team players for this trip.
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Home Comforts: Charlton have scored in 14 of their last 15 home matches.
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Adams’ Discipline: Ebou Adams has the highest foul-per-game ratio in the Portsmouth squad.
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Relegation Form: Portsmouth have won 1 of their last 13 away games in the Championship.
Charlton vs Portsmouth Predicted Lineups & Team News
Charlton will be without Josh Edwards and Harvey Knibbs, who remain sidelined with ankle issues.
The big decision for the manager is whether to start Tyreece Campbell, who came off the bench to score the winner against Stoke.
We expect him to be rewarded with a start, potentially replacing Carey or Godden in the attacking trio.
Portsmouth are in full crisis mode.
Conor Chaplin (groin) joins a massive injury list that includes Andre Dozzell, Adrian Segecic, Josh Murphy, and Conor Shaughnessy.
John Mousinho will be forced to shuffle his pack, likely bringing in Marlon Pack (if fit) or Terry Devlin into midfield, with Paddy Lane potentially deputising on the wing.
Charlton (3-4-2-1)
Predicted XI:
GK: Kaminski
DEF: Ramsey, Jones, Bell
MID: Clarke, Coady, Docherty, Chambers
MID: Campbell, Godden
FWD: Dykes
Portsmouth (4-2-3-1)
Predicted XI:
GK: Schmid
DEF: Devlin, Poole, Ogilvie, Swanson
MID: Pack, Adams
MID: Lane, Swift, Alli
FWD: Bishop
How to Watch Charlton vs Portsmouth
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Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
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Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
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Venue: The Valley, London
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TV Channel: Sky Sports+
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Live Stream: Sky Go App / NOW TV
Supporters outside the UK should check local broadcast listings, as coverage varies by territory.
Charlton vs Portsmouth Match Winner Odds
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Charlton: 6/4
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Draw: 11/5
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Portsmouth: 2/1
Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change.
Charlton vs Portsmouth Correct Score Prediction
This relegation six-pointer is likely to be defined by attrition.
Portsmouth’s decimated squad will battle hard for John Mousinho, perhaps even snatching a goal through the physicality of Colby Bishop or a set-piece.
However, their lack of creative outlets (without Chaplin and Murphy) means they will struggle to sustain attacks for long periods.
We expect a scrappy affair where Charlton’s superior fitness and options—specifically the pace of Tyreece Campbell against a makeshift backline—eventually wear the visitors down.
A late winner for the Addicks feels plausible as Pompey’s resistance breaks under pressure.
Charlton 2-1 Portsmouth
