Pompey vs Manchester City Preview

Last updated : 09 February 2007 By Jim Bonner
Pompey fans will no doubt remember how important the result was in this fixture last season, so it's fitting that the result in the exact same fixture tomorrow will undoubtedly have a big say on how our season is going to end.
Without a Premiership win in 2007, Pompey are struggling to score goals which at the moment, is costing us a place in the UEFA Cup next season. The visit of Manchester City has proved pivotal in every Premiership season to date (see Premiership Past) and this game is going to be no different.

Pompey have been hit with a huge injury blow this past week. Linvoy Primus has been ruled out of the game with a thigh tear and with Djimi Traore and Noe Pamarot doubts for the game; our defence could look very dodgy indeed. Andy O'Brien is injured so playing Glen Johnson at centre back could be the only option left to Harry Redknapp, meaning Lauren will play at right back and Matt Taylor will play left back alongside Sol Campbell.

The good news is that Gary O'Neil and Sean Davis should return to the starting lineup and Niko Kranjcar may also feature as we need some creativity in the team following our recent goal drought. Lomana LuaLua is also tipped to start and if there is any time to get fans back on your side, it's tomorrow.

It's safe to say that despite Man City's terrible goal tally of 19 Premiership goals all season, David James will be busy against his former club due to what could be a very weakened defence. On the contrary, Stuart Pearce's side have built their success on a very strong defence this term, keeping many clean sheets so somehow our misfiring strikers are going to have to break it down.

Nicky Weaver is a major doubt for City, so Swedish Number One Andreas Isaksson should start tomorrow's match. Expect influential figures Micah Richards and Joey Barton to also start and on their day they will hurt you.

All bad runs must come to an end, however, and there will be no better place to end it than at Fratton Park. It's time for the players to stand up and be counted as this game is crucial in our Great Escape from the bottom fourteen...

Premiership Past: Pompey vs Manchester City

03/04: Pompey 4 Manchester City 2

David Seaman ended his glittering career at Fratton Park by going off early with injury and then Pompey took the lead via a Dejan Stefanovic header only for City to equalise straight away through Nicholas Anelka.

City hit the woodwork a few times before eventually taking the lead after Antoine Sibierski scored right before half time. Cue a second half blitz as Yakubu scored twice with a Sheringham goal in between to give Pompey their first league win of 2004 and a priceless one at that.

04/05: Pompey 1 Manchester City 3

Shaun Wright-Phillips tortured Pompey during this game and gave City the lead after 5 minutes only for Gary O'Neil to equalise virtually straight away. In a torrid week for the club things would get worse as Sibierski and Paul Bosvelt scored in the second half to give City the win. This game would be Harry Redknapp's last game in charge before he resigned.

05/06: Pompey 2 Manchester City 1

We all know what happened here don't we!

Pedro Mendes scores a cracker on the hour in this "must-win" game only for Richard Dunne to equalise late on. The Pompey fans who hadn't gived up hope of Premiership survival rallied the team for one last throw of the dice and with just 10 seconds of stoppage time remaining, Mendes volleyed in the most important goal he'll ever score from 25 yards that ultimately changed the history of Portsmouth Football Club.

Pundit Watch

Lawro: Home Win (2-0)
Sky Sports: Away Win (1-2)
Matt Le Tissier: Home Win (2-1)
Soccernet: Home Win