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Portsmouth

Heartbreak#2029.4

Portsmouth, Portsmouth · England · Championship

League titles
2
last 1950
Major cups
4
last 2008
Top-2 finishes
2
Top-4 finishes
5

Power-ranking history

Hover a season for its rank and score
Rank (1 = best)1262Score (per-season normalised)0.00.51.089/9094/9599/0004/0509/10

Against expectation

Every English top-flight match this club has played, scored against the odds an Elo rating gave it before kick-off. Over 33 seasons from 1927-28 to 2009-10 it has fallen short of them by −8.0 match points.

Portsmouth: surplus against expectation, 1927-28 to 2009-101927-28: +1.9 league points vs expected (39 on 37.1, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.0 match points1928-29: −1.2 league points vs expected (36 on 37.2, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.6 match points1929-30: +2.5 league points vs expected (40 on 37.5, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.2 match points1930-31: +6.3 league points vs expected (49 on 42.7, 2 for a win) · bar height +3.2 match points1931-32: +2.2 league points vs expected (45 on 42.8, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.1 match points1932-33: −0.4 league points vs expected (43 on 43.4, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.2 match points1933-34: −1.1 league points vs expected (42 on 43.1, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.5 match points1934-35: −0.7 league points vs expected (40 on 40.7, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.3 match points1935-36: +1.8 league points vs expected (42 on 40.2, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.9 match points1936-37: +1.8 league points vs expected (44 on 42.2, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.9 match points1937-38: +0.1 league points vs expected (38 on 37.9, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.0 match points1938-39: −2.5 league points vs expected (37 on 39.5, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.2 match points1946-47: +2.6 league points vs expected (41 on 38.4, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.3 match points1947-48: +3.6 league points vs expected (45 on 41.4, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.8 match points1948-49: +9.6 league points vs expected (58 on 48.4, 2 for a win) · bar height +4.8 match points1949-50: +1.4 league points vs expected (53 on 51.6, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.7 match points1950-51: −1.8 league points vs expected (47 on 48.8, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.9 match points1951-52: −1.6 league points vs expected (48 on 49.6, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.8 match points1952-53: −5.5 league points vs expected (38 on 43.5, 2 for a win) · bar height −2.8 match points1953-54: −0.3 league points vs expected (39 on 39.3, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.1 match points1954-55: +5.0 league points vs expected (48 on 43.0, 2 for a win) · bar height +2.5 match points1955-56: −1.9 league points vs expected (41 on 42.9, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.9 match points1956-57: −5.1 league points vs expected (33 on 38.1, 2 for a win) · bar height −2.6 match points1957-58: −4.3 league points vs expected (32 on 36.4, 2 for a win) · bar height −2.2 match points1958-59: −10.9 league points vs expected (21 on 31.9, 2 for a win) · bar height −5.5 match points1987-88: −11.1 league points vs expected (35 on 46.1, 3 for a win) · bar height −3.0 match points2003-04: +0.3 league points vs expected (45 on 44.7, 3 for a win) · bar height −0.1 match points2004-05: −6.3 league points vs expected (39 on 45.4, 3 for a win) · bar height −2.2 match points2005-06: −1.5 league points vs expected (38 on 39.5, 3 for a win) · bar height −0.8 match points2006-07: +8.3 league points vs expected (54 on 45.7, 3 for a win) · bar height +3.2 match points2007-08: +4.0 league points vs expected (57 on 53.0, 3 for a win) · bar height +1.2 match points2008-09: −8.3 league points vs expected (41 on 49.3, 3 for a win) · bar height −2.6 match points2009-10: −12.2 league points vs expected (28 on 40.2, 3 for a win) · bar height −4.5 match points
1927-28one bar per season · height in match points · hover for that season2009-10
Best season against expectation
1948-49 +9.6 league pts
58 points on 48.4 expected as Portsmouth
Worst season against expectation
2009-10 −12.2 league pts
28 points on 40.2 expected as Portsmouth, after a 9-point deduction

Season points use that season’s own scoring, two for a win before 1981-82 and three after; the bars use match points so the whole series is comparable.The rating only starts telling you much after about 1960. Before that, knowing the era’s home-and-away split is almost as good as knowing the teams.

Portsmouth against expectation →How this is measured →

Greatest games

Portsmouth's top matches by the club Game Score: closeness, stakes, quality and upset over one unified rating of league and European play.All-time board.

#DateStageResultScore
11950-04-22First DivisionHW 2-1 v Liverpoolgame score 76.7
21934-04-28FA Cup · FinalNL 1-2 v Manchester Citygame score 76.3
31929-03-23FA Cup · SemifinalsNW 1-0 v Aston Villagame score 70.0
41949-02-26FA Cup · QuarterfinalsHW 2-1 v Derby Countygame score 70.0
52008-03-08FA Cup · QuarterfinalsNW 1-0 v Manchester Unitedgame score 68.1
61939-03-25FA Cup · SemifinalsNW 2-1 v Huddersfield Towngame score 67.8
71950-04-15First DivisionAW 2-0 v Manchester Unitedgame score 65.7
81932-01-27FA Cup · Round 4AW 1-0 v Aston Villagame score 65.5
91929-04-29First DivisionHL 2-3 v Sheffield Unitedgame score 64.6
102010-04-11FA Cup · SemifinalsNW 2-0 v Tottenham Hotspurgame score 64.5

Footprint

Tiers played
L1, L2, L3, L4
Top-flight (L1) seasons
33
Lower-tier league seasons
66
First season
1921
Most recent season
2026
RivalriesSouth Coast Derbyvs Southamptontwo-way

The Heartbreak Index9.4 · #202

The Damned · Major trophy, 2008

9.4
Heartbreak
#202
of 1,139 clubs
#112
in Football
6.7
agony · 2.7 despair
The clocks
  • Major trophy since 20084.5
  • League title since 19501.9
  • Major final appearance since 20101.9
Heaviest wounds

relegated from the top flight, 1988 · relegated from the top flight, 2010 · lost the national cup final, 2010 · relegated from the top flight, 1959

One formula, every club the site covers. See the whole board →

Season-by-season

Most recent season first. Covers Levels 1 through 5 of the English pyramid. Rows tagged "national playoff" are pre-modern formats where the workbook records only playoff participants, not round-robin standings.

2027
Championship (2) · P18● live
6 P · 2-1-3 · 7:8 · -1
7
pts
2026
Championship (2) · P18
46 P · 14-13-19 · 49:64 · -15
55
pts
2025
Championship (2) · P16
46 P · 14-12-20 · 58:71 · -13
54
pts
2024
League One (3) · P1↑
46 P · 28-13-5 · 78:41 · +37
97
pts
2023
League One (3) · P8
46 P · 17-19-10 · 61:50 · +11
70
pts
2022
League One (3) · P10
46 P · 20-13-13 · 68:51 · +17
73
pts
2021
League One (3) · P8
46 P · 21-9-16 · 65:51 · +14
72
pts
2020
League One (3) · P5PO
35 P · 17-9-9 · 53:36 · +17
60
pts
2019
League One (3) · P4PO
46 P · 25-13-8 · 83:51 · +32
88
pts
2018
League One (3) · P8
46 P · 20-6-20 · 57:56 · +1
66
pts
2017
League Two (4) · P1↑
46 P · 26-9-11 · 79:40 · +39
87
pts
2016
League Two (4) · P6PO
46 P · 21-15-10 · 75:44 · +31
78
pts
Show all 100 seasons
2015
League Two (4) · P16
46 P · 14-15-17 · 52:54 · -2
57
pts
2014
League Two (4) · P13
46 P · 14-17-15 · 56:66 · -10
59
pts
2013
League One (3) · P22↓
46 P · 10-12-24 · 51:69 · -18
42
pts
2012
Championship (2) · P17↓
46 P · 13-11-22 · 50:59 · -9
50
pts
2011
Championship (2) · P16
46 P · 15-13-18 · 53:60 · -7
58
pts
2010
Premier League (1) · P20↓
38 P · 7-7-24 · 34:66 · -32
19
pts
FA
2009
Premier League (1) · P14
38 P · 10-11-17 · 38:57 · -19
41
pts
UC
2008
Premier League (1) · P8
38 P · 16-9-13 · 48:40 · +8
57
pts
FAUC
2007
Premier League (1) · P9
38 P · 14-12-12 · 45:42 · +3
54
pts
2006
Premier League (1) · P17
38 P · 10-8-20 · 37:62 · -25
38
pts
2005
Premier League (1) · P16
38 P · 10-9-19 · 43:59 · -16
39
pts
2004
Premier League (1) · P13
38 P · 12-9-17 · 47:54 · -7
45
pts
2003
First Division (2) · P1↑
46 P · 29-11-6 · 97:45 · +52
98
pts
2002
First Division (2) · P17
46 P · 13-14-19 · 60:72 · -12
53
pts
2001
First Division (2) · P21
46 P · 10-19-17 · 47:59 · -12
49
pts
2000
First Division (2) · P18
46 P · 13-12-21 · 55:66 · -11
51
pts
1999
First Division (2) · P19
46 P · 11-14-21 · 57:73 · -16
47
pts
1998
First Division (2) · P20
46 P · 13-10-23 · 51:63 · -12
49
pts
1997
First Division (2) · P7
46 P · 20-8-18 · 59:53 · +6
68
pts
1996
First Division (2) · P21
46 P · 13-13-20 · 61:69 · -8
52
pts
1995
First Division (2) · P18
46 P · 15-13-18 · 53:63 · -10
58
pts
1994
First Division (2) · P17
46 P · 15-13-18 · 52:58 · -6
58
pts
1993
First Division (2) · P3PO
46 P · 26-10-10 · 80:46 · +34
88
pts
1992
Second Division (2) · P9
46 P · 19-12-15 · 65:51 · +14
69
pts
FA SF
1991
Second Division (2) · P17
46 P · 14-11-21 · 58:70 · -12
53
pts
1990
Second Division (2) · P12
46 P · 15-16-15 · 62:65 · -3
61
pts
1989
Second Division (2) · P20
46 P · 13-12-21 · 53:62 · -9
51
pts
1988
First Division (1) · P19↓
40 P · 7-14-19 · 36:66 · -30
35
pts
1987
Second Division (2) · P2↑
42 P · 23-9-10 · 53:28 · +25
78
pts
1986
Second Division (2) · P4
42 P · 22-7-13 · 69:41 · +28
73
pts
1985
Second Division (2) · P4
42 P · 20-14-8 · 69:50 · +19
74
pts
1984
Second Division (2) · P16
42 P · 14-7-21 · 73:64 · +9
49
pts
1983
Third Division (3) · P1↑
46 P · 27-10-9 · 74:41 · +33
91
pts
1982
Third Division (3) · P13
46 P · 14-19-13 · 56:51 · +5
61
pts
1981
Third Division (3) · P6
46 P · 22-9-15 · 55:47 · +8
53
pts
1980
Fourth Division (4) · P4↑
46 P · 24-12-10 · 91:49 · +42
60
pts
1979
Fourth Division (4) · P7
46 P · 20-12-14 · 62:48 · +14
52
pts
1978
Third Division (3) · P24↓
46 P · 7-17-22 · 41:75 · -34
31
pts
1977
Third Division (3) · P20
46 P · 11-14-21 · 53:70 · -17
36
pts
1976
Second Division (2) · P22↓
42 P · 9-7-26 · 32:61 · -29
25
pts
1975
Second Division (2) · P17
42 P · 12-13-17 · 44:54 · -10
37
pts
1974
Second Division (2) · P15
42 P · 14-12-16 · 45:62 · -17
40
pts
1973
Second Division (2) · P17
42 P · 12-11-19 · 42:59 · -17
35
pts
1972
Second Division (2) · P16
42 P · 12-13-17 · 59:68 · -9
37
pts
1971
Second Division (2) · P16
42 P · 10-14-18 · 46:61 · -15
34
pts
1970
Second Division (2) · P17
42 P · 13-9-20 · 66:80 · -14
35
pts
1969
Second Division (2) · P15
42 P · 12-14-16 · 58:58 · 0
38
pts
1968
Second Division (2) · P5
42 P · 18-13-11 · 68:55 · +13
49
pts
1967
Second Division (2) · P14
42 P · 13-13-16 · 59:70 · -11
39
pts
1966
Second Division (2) · P12
42 P · 16-8-18 · 74:78 · -4
40
pts
1965
Second Division (2) · P20
42 P · 12-10-20 · 56:77 · -21
34
pts
1964
Second Division (2) · P9
42 P · 16-11-15 · 79:70 · +9
43
pts
1963
Second Division (2) · P16
42 P · 13-11-18 · 63:79 · -16
37
pts
1962
Third Division (3) · P1↑
46 P · 27-11-8 · 87:47 · +40
65
pts
1961
Second Division (2) · P21↓
42 P · 11-11-20 · 64:91 · -27
33
pts
1960
Second Division (2) · P20
42 P · 10-12-20 · 59:77 · -18
32
pts
1959
First Division (1) · P22↓
42 P · 6-9-27 · 64:112 · -48
21
pts
1958
First Division (1) · P20
42 P · 12-8-22 · 73:88 · -15
32
pts
1957
First Division (1) · P19
42 P · 10-13-19 · 62:92 · -30
33
pts
1956
First Division (1) · P12
42 P · 16-9-17 · 78:85 · -7
41
pts
1955
First Division (1) · P3
42 P · 18-12-12 · 74:62 · +12
48
pts
1954
First Division (1) · P14
42 P · 14-11-17 · 81:89 · -8
39
pts
1953
First Division (1) · P15
42 P · 14-10-18 · 74:83 · -9
38
pts
1952
First Division (1) · P4
42 P · 20-8-14 · 68:58 · +10
48
pts
1951
First Division (1) · P7
42 P · 16-15-11 · 71:68 · +3
47
pts
1950
First Division (1) · P1★
42 P · 22-9-11 · 74:38 · +36
53
pts
1949
First Division (1) · P1★
42 P · 25-8-9 · 84:42 · +42
58
pts
FA SF
1948
First Division (1) · P8
42 P · 19-7-16 · 68:50 · +18
45
pts
1947
First Division (1) · P12
42 P · 16-9-17 · 66:60 · +6
41
pts
1939
First Division (1) · P17
42 P · 12-13-17 · 47:70 · -23
37
pts
FA
1938
First Division (1) · P19
42 P · 13-12-17 · 62:68 · -6
38
pts
1937
First Division (1) · P9
42 P · 17-10-15 · 62:66 · -4
44
pts
1936
First Division (1) · P10
42 P · 17-8-17 · 54:67 · -13
42
pts
1935
First Division (1) · P14
42 P · 15-10-17 · 71:72 · -1
40
pts
1934
First Division (1) · P10
42 P · 15-12-15 · 52:55 · -3
42
pts
FA
1933
First Division (1) · P9
42 P · 18-7-17 · 74:76 · -2
43
pts
1932
First Division (1) · P8
42 P · 19-7-16 · 62:62 · 0
45
pts
1931
First Division (1) · P4
42 P · 18-13-11 · 84:67 · +17
49
pts
1930
First Division (1) · P13
42 P · 15-10-17 · 66:62 · +4
40
pts
1929
First Division (1) · P20
42 P · 15-6-21 · 56:80 · -24
36
pts
FA
1928
First Division (1) · P20
42 P · 16-7-19 · 66:90 · -24
39
pts
1927
Second Division (2) · P2↑
42 P · 23-8-11 · 87:49 · +38
54
pts
1926
Second Division (2) · P11
42 P · 17-10-15 · 79:74 · +5
44
pts
1925
Second Division (2) · P4
42 P · 15-18-9 · 58:50 · +8
48
pts
1924
Third Division South (3) · P1↑
42 P · 24-11-7 · 87:30 · +57
59
pts
1923
Third Division South (3) · P7
42 P · 19-8-15 · 58:52 · +6
46
pts
1922
Third Division South (3) · P3
42 P · 18-17-7 · 62:39 · +23
53
pts
1921
Third Division South (3) · P12
42 P · 12-15-15 · 46:48 · -2
39
pts
Domestic Cup Finals

Most recent first. Every domestic cup final the club has played, including losses. Scheduled finals (date not yet passed) are flagged.

2010
FA Cup
Runner-up
2008
FA Cup
Won
2008
Community Shield
Runner-up
1949
Community Shield
Won
1939
FA Cup
Won
1934
FA Cup
Runner-up
1929
FA Cup
Runner-up
European competition appearances

Most recent first. One row per entry showing the deepest round reached. A Cup Winner badge marks tournaments the club won: gold for the European Cup / Champions League, silver for every other UEFA or Intercontinental trophy.

2008-09
UEFA Cup(UC)
Round of 32 / qualifying