We all know our current crisis at home. No wins at Fratton Park since the 7-4 against Reading and not a single home league goal in that time either. On the contrary, Arsenal have scored in all but one of their games this season and have already beaten us with ease once this campaign at the Emirates.
So now is the time for our players to step up and be counted for what will be one of the toughest games of the season, especially for those who used to play for the opposition.
Sol Campbell should start against his former club whilst Lauren is likely to fill in for the injured Glen Johnson. Kanu is pushing for a starting role after his influencial display at Liverpool which will hopefully see Utaka dropped and Benjani moved out to the right. Noe Pamarot and Sean Davis will also hopefully be passed fit for the game.
Arsene Wenger is set to name a near-full-strength side that probably won't contain Robin Van Persie. The Gunners will still have the likes of Fabregas, Hleb, Rosicky and Adebayor to give us a torrid time if we dare play as badly as we have done in the last two games.
The majority of Pompey fans seem to have written this game off as a defeat already but I'm hoping that the team can prove us wrong like they have done so many times this season already. I won't be holding my breath though...
Finally, a Merry Christmas to all my readers and messageboard posters at Fratton Faithful. Here's hoping there's plenty of joy to be had during the festive period for all Pompey fans!
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: LAUREN
CB: Sol CAMPBELL
CB: Sylvain DISTIN
LB: Noe PAMAROT
CM: Pedro MENDES
CM: Sulley MUNTARI
CM: Papa BOUBA DIOP
RWF: John UTAKA
LWF: Niko KRANJCAR
CF: BENJANI
Bench: Asmir BEGOVIC, Hermann HREIDARSSON, Matthew TAYLOR, David NUGENT, KANU
Arsenal
GK: Manuel ALMUNIA
RB: Bacary SAGNA
CB: Kolo TOURE
CB: William GALLAS
LB: Gael CLICHY
RM: Emmanuel EBOUE
CM: Mathieu FLAMINI
CM: Cesc FABREGAS
LM: Tomas ROSICKY
SS: Alexander HLEB
CF: Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
Bench: Jens LEHMANN, Phillipe SENDEROS, Abou DIABY, Nicklas BENDTNER, Robin VAN PERSIE
Last Time: Pompey 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal sent out their second string for this final day encounter and almost took the lead, but James saved Julio Baptista's penalty. Niko Kranjcar looked to have scored the goal that would take us to the UEFA Cup but after Arsenal squinnied to the officials, Graham Poll (reffing his last ever league game) ruled it out. Pompey couldn't find a winner and ended up cursing their luck as all results went their way.
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Away Win (1-2)
Sky Sports: Draw (1-1)
Soccernet: Draw
Matt Le Tissier: Away Win (0-2)
My Prediction: Away Win (0-2)