| Not the fixture you want when you're six points adrift of safety. |
Rock bottom Pompey face the daunting trip to Old Trafford tomorrow hoping for a miracle.
Team News
Ricardo Rocha could make his Pompey debut with Tal Ben-Haim moving out to left back at the expense of Nadir Belhadj, who could be pushed further forward. Marc Wilson has just signed a new three-and-a-half year deal with the club and should start alongside Rocha.
Aruna Dindane, who is not signing a permanent contract despite the claims of Lens' president, is likely to be dropped with either Frederic Piquionne or John Utaka playing the lone frontman role in a 4-5-1 formation.
Rio Ferdinand is banned but Nemanja Vidic could make his comeback appearance after injury. Wayne Rooney, who scored a hat-trick against Pompey in the reverse fixture, is certain to start whilst Nani is also set to play after his performance against Arsenal last Sunday.
The Match
There isn't really much to say about this one. I'll be happy if we end the day still six points adrift from safety but with the form that United, and Rooney in particular are in, I fear a battering.
I expect we'll play defensively and try and contain the champions but they have too much quality and once the deadlock is broken, the floodgates may open.
My only hope is that League One Leeds went to Old Trafford and managed to win so if they can do it then maybe we can too, but it's a long shot and if you really fancy Pompey to win then the odds are as big as 28/1 with some bookies, so have a flutter.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Man United
GK: Edwin VAN DER SAR
RB: Gary NEVILLE
CB: Nemanja VIDIC
CB: Jonny EVANS
LB: Patrice EVRA
RM: Antonio VALENCIA
CM: Michael CARRICK
CM: ANDERSON
LM: NANI
CF: Wayne ROONEY
CF: Michael OWEN
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: Steve FINNAN
CB: Marc WILSON
CB: Ricardo ROCHA
LB: Tal BEN-HAIM
RM: Hassan YEBDA
CM: Kevin-Prince BOATENG
CM: Angelos BASINAS
CM: Jamie O'HARA
LM: Nadir BELHADJ
CF: Frederic PIQUIONNE
Last Time: Manchester United 2 Portsmouth 0
Wayne Rooney scored after just 9 minutes of this one after slotting in Ryan Giggs' cross. Peter Crouch had a couple of opportunities to level the score in the second half but the game was over 8 minutes from time when Carrick slotted home a second.
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Home Win (3-0)
Sky Sports: Home Win (3-1)
Soccernet: Home Win
My Prediction: I may be an optimist and I refuse to believe we're relegation certainties yet, but I don't believe in miracles.
Manchester United 3 Portsmouth 0 |
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