David Prutton issues three-goal prediction for Portsmouth v West Brom | OneFootball

The Sky Sports pundit has his say as the Baggies travel to Fratton Park

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has backed West Bromwich Albion to keep up their impressive start to the season with a 2-1 victory when they face Portsmouth at Fratton Park this weekend.

The Baggies are still unbeaten as we return from the international break, with three wins and a single draw to their name from their opening fixtures.

Carlos Corberan seems to be getting a tune out of his side once again after play-off semi-final defeat in the previous campaign and will fancy their chances as they make their way to the south coast.

After claiming the League One title last season, Pompey are yet to claim a first win upon their return to the Championship, but Prutton believes John Mousinho’s side have nothing to worry about at this point in the season.

David Prutton predicts West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth result

With the likes of Josh Maja and Tom Fellows combining in the final third, Albion have been devastating going forward of late, and former Southampton man Prutton can’t see that early form slowing down as they travel to Hampshire this weekend.

The EFL pundit said: “West Brom have been great, seemingly off the back of play-off heartbreak they have hit the ground running, against a Portsmouth side who have not been at this level for quite a long time.

“They are still looking for that first win, but there is plenty to like about what they have done. You go all the way back to that Leeds game at the start of the season and they were very much in that, showing the quality that they have got.

“There is nothing really from John Mousinho’s point of view - yes they came up against a very good Sunderland last time out who were flying, so maybe that is a bit of a yardstick in terms of what the Championship is.

“But they have played some tough teams and have acquitted themselves well so far - this isn’t me being condescending - but having seen what I have seen from Pompey that win is not too far away.

“I just don’t know whether it comes against West Brom at the weekend. I think it will be a West Brom win: Pompey one, West Brom two.”

West Brom, Portsmouth enjoy promising starts to the 24/25 Championship campaign

Pompey have adapted to life in the second tier admirably so far this season, with a captivating 3-3 draw with Leeds United getting their campaign off to a pulsating start.

A credible draw against 10-man Luton Town followed, before cruelly being denied all three points against Middlesbrough at The Riverside thanks to an injury-time Tommy Conway penalty to see the spoils shared.

A 3-1 defeat to Sunderland last time out was the 2008 FA Cup winners’ first defeat of the season, as they became the latest side to struggle against Regis Le Bris’ all-conquering Black Cats side.

It has been an opposite tale for West Brom, who have seen off the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City, and Swansea City before August came to an end, with their only dropped points coming in a stalemate with Leeds United at the Hawthorns.