Sean O'Driscoll Close To Portsmouth Deal

Championship side Portsmouth are reportedly very close to naming Sean O'Driscoll as their new manager. Pompey have been managerless since Steve Cotterill departed for Nottingham Forest earlier last month but it now appears that they have found his successor. The club were heavily linked with Burnley boss Eddie Howe but on Saturday the young manager ruled himself out of the running, leaving O'Driscoll as the clear favourite in the betting.

Yesterday bookmakers closed their markets on Next Portsmouth Manager Betting with O'Driscoll's appointment expected to be announced in the next few days. O'Driscoll has been out of work since he was sacked by Doncaster back in September after they picked up just one point from their opening seven matches. If appointed the 54-year-old will become the south coast team's sixth manager in just three years. Portsmouth have slipped to 18^th in the table after losing 3-1 to Derby at the weekend and they are in desperate need of some inspiration and character in order to rejuvenate their season.

Portsmouth travel to in-form Crystal Palace tonight as they look to bounce back from the Derby defeat. Pompey are yet to win in seven matches on the road this season and they face a team unbeaten in six league games. Stan James have Palace as the 20/21 favourites, while Pompey are priced at 29/10, with a draw available at 23/10.

All odds provided by Stan James.