Team News
Liam Lawrence can't play this game as his 93 day "emergency loan" period has expired, whilst Michael Brown is also unavailable due to his contract clause entitling him to a new deal if he makes another appearance for Pompey.
Richard Hughes will replace Brown but Lawrence's replacement will be less obvious. It might be Kanu who replaces Lawrence, with Nugent dropping back to play at right midfield. Greg Halford could also play there as he returns from suspension.
Leeds manager Simon Grayson will be assessing many of his players before the game, with several of his players carrying a knock from the 2-2 draw at Leicester on Boxing Day.
Andy O'Brien is likely to start against his former club whilst another ex-Pompey player in Amdy Faye may also make an appearance.
The Match
Leeds are unbeaten in ten games whilst Pompey will be missing two of their best players for this match, so defeat may be expected in this match but here are a few reasons to be confident.
Firstly, Leeds haven't beaten us in 20 years and we've been something of a thorn in their side since that time, so perhaps hope can be taken from that. Also, despite the missing midfielders, David Nugent is hitting some form and should be able to cause problems to a defence that haven't kept many clean sheets recently.
However, given the period of woeful defending against Millwall yesterday, you can't help but think that quality players such as Becchio, Gradel and Snodgrass aren't going to pose even more problems.
After Hermann's performance on Boxing Day I'd expect Dickinson to replace him at left back, but that doesn't mean our defence has improved with that change. I forsee Jamie Ashdown being a very busy man again tomorrow.
If Pompey are to get a result in this game then not only are the defence going to have to improve, but Utaka and Kitson, two players guilty of squandering great scoring opportunities, really need to make an impact. Neither have been particularly impressive recently but that needs to change as both are capable of performing much better than they have been.
It could be a long trip back from Yorkshire tomorrow, but then what do I know? I also thought that the trips to South Wales and Norfolk wouldn't bare much fruit but I was proven wrong there and I'd be delighted to be proved wrong again.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Leeds
GK: Kasper SCHMEICHEL
RB: Paul CONNOLLY
CB: Andy O'BRIEN
CB: Alex BRUCE
LB: George McCARTNEY
RM: Robert SNODGRASS
CM: Neil KILKENNY
CM: Johnny HOWSON
CM: Bradley JOHNSON
LM: Max GRADEL
CF: Luciano BECCHIO
Pompey
GK: Jamie ASHDOWN
RB: Joel WARD
CB: Aaron MOKOENA
CB: Ricardo ROCHA
LB: Carl DICKINSON
RM: Greg HALFORD
CM: Hayden MULLINS
CM: Richard HUGHES
LM: John UTAKA
CF: Dave KITSON
CF: David NUGENT
Last Time: Leeds United 1 Portsmouth 2 (Premier League - 25/04/2004)
Yakubu gave Pompey an early lead after heading in Steve Stone's cross and Lomana LuaLua doubled Pompey's advantage in the second half by heading the ball past Paul Robinson from close range.
Ian Harte scored a late penalty to get the nerves jangling but Pompey held on for the win that would effectively secure their Premier League status, whilst virtually relegating Eddie Gray's men at the same time.
My Prediction
With a weakened team playing a side flying high and in good form, I can only see defeat at Elland Road unfortunately. But then what do I know?
Leeds United 2 Portsmouth 1