The Rams will be optimistic playing us on the opening day knowing that they've never suffered an opening day defeat in the Premiership whilst we have not won a single away game in 2007. Now is the time to put that right.
A selection of new signings could make their Derby debuts with Claude Davis, Andy Todd and Robert Earnshaw all looking to start whilst Andy Griffin could be facing his former employers in his first competitive match back in the top flight. Star youngster Giles Barnes will be missing however.
Pompey look like they will send out many of the big money names to grab an opening day victory in the East Midlands. Hermann Hriedarsson, Svylvain Distin, Sulley Muntari and David Nugent should all start whilst John Utaka could also be given a starting berth on the right ahead of Gary O'Neil.
The other main selection dilemma is whether Harry goes with Benjani or wantaway Lomana LuaLua up front. LuaLua has had an excellent pre-season but telling the manager you want to leave isn't going to get you a starting place is it?
Niko Kranjcar, Linvoy Primus and Dejan Stefanovic are all injured but the new found depth of the squad means we can cope with these problems now and still field a strong side.
If this game was further into the season I'd be confident of us going there and winning but an opening day fixture against a promoted side is never easy and Billy Davies' side will be well up for proving they are good enough for the Premier League.
Davies himself serves a touchline ban but that won't make the task any easier. Still, we have invested heavily in the team and this new look Pompey side should perform well against a side that are favourites for relegation.
Premier League football is back! Bring it on!
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Derby
GK: Stephen BYWATER
RB: Andy GRIFFIN
CB: Andy TODD
CB: Claude DAVIS
LB: Jay McEVELEY
RM: Gary TEALE
CM: David JONES
CM: Matt OAKLEY
LM: Stephen PEARSON
CF: Steve HOWARD
CF: Robert EARNSHAW
Bench: Lewis PRICE, Darren MOORE, Mo CAMARA, Craig FAGAN, Jon MACKEN
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: LAUREN
CB: Sol CAMPBELL
CB: Sylvain DISTIN
LB: Hermann HRIEDARSSON
RM: John UTAKA
CM: Sulley MUNTARI
CM: Pedro MENDES
LM: Matthew TAYLOR
CF: BENJANI
CF: David NUGENT
Bench: Jamie ASHDOWN, Djimi TRAORE, Gary O'NEIL, Sean DAVIS, Lomana LUALUA
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Away Win (1-2)
Sky Sports: Away Win (1-3)
Soccernet: Away Win
My Prediction: Draw (1-1)