Leading bookmaker explains why Portsmouth are favourites ahead of Oxford, Fleetwood and Wycombe to win the League One play-offs

That’s according to Dave Stevens, who is head of PR at Coral, one of the country’s leading bookmakers.

Kenny Jackett’s side are currently priced at 15/8 to earn promotion to the Championship when the play-offs start tomorrow.

That’s despite the Blues finishing fifth in the table after it was curtailed and decided by an unweighted points-per-game formula last month.

Pompey take on Oxford, who ended the campaign in fourth, in the semi-finals. The winner will meet either third-placed Wycombe or sixth-placed Fleetwood at Wembley for the final spot in the second tier next season.

Stevens is hoping Coral have to pay out on Jackett's men come July 13th – as he's a member of the Fratton faithful.

And because Pompey were one of the best-backed teams to net promotion at the start of the season, coupled with playing in matches such as the Checkatrade Trophy final and the play-offs last season, it's why the bookies fancy the Blues.

Stevens said: ‘I definitely have mixed views about the betting on these play-offs.

‘With my fan’s hat on I think it’s crazy that Portsmouth are favourites to be promoted, given our frankly terrible record in play-offs over the years.

‘The fact that we weren’t in the best of form prior to the enforced break and that an empty Fratton Park – indeed no fans at either match and a potential final – could help our opponents, given how strong and vocal the fan-base is, particularly at this level.

‘However, with my Coral hat on, it is a different story!

‘Firstly, Portsmouth, along with Sunderland, were one of the two best-backed teams to be promoted at the start of the season, which seems a long time ago now, so we do have significant liabilities on them.

‘That is one factor in why they are now the odds they are.

‘Secondly, for all their record historically in play-offs isn’t great, they have the most recent big-match experience of the four clubs, which could help them especially if they make it to the Wembley final.

‘And finally, the bulk of the squad has been kept together for these matches, and with all four teams starting afresh after the break, the March form largely goes out of the window.

‘To sum up, this is one time as a bookie I hope the favourite comes in!’