Pompey take on newly promoted Cambridge United tomorrow in front of a packed Fratton Park.
Team News
Ricky Holmes could be added to the squad after training this week following a thigh injury but goalkeeper Michael Poke faces a month out due to an achilles injury. Patrick Agyemang, Tom Craddock and Wes Fogden are all still out.
Former Pompey defender Richard Money isn't giving anything away ahead of tomorrow's game but admits his squad has a few injury problems after their League Cup defeat at Birmingham after extra time on Tuesday. Midfielder Issaga Diallo is definitely out with a thigh injury.
The Match
Pompey were handed a tough opening home fixture with Cambridge ending the Conference season on such a high and the novelty of playing at Fratton Park will still be fresh for the newly promoted team.
However, after playing such a draining cup tie on Tuesday and with some players picking up knocks there is every chance that Andy Awford's men can get their home campaign off to a winning start.
The manager has a selection dilemma after many of his fringe players performed so well against higher league opposition. Miles Storey and Nigel Atangana are almost certain to start after their excellent showings but it's likely Awford will opt for experience in a back four rather than keep the wing back system used on Tuesday.
The pressure will be on to get off to a winning start after last season's capitulation on the opening day to Oxford. Making Fratton Park a fortress will be key to winning promotion and keeping the fans interested as too many teams came to Portsmouth and won last season, making for a very disgruntled fanbase.
However, Tuesday's performance showed an improvement in the defensive organisation of the team and with the amount of attacking options available Pompey should be able to score a couple of goals and win what looks to be a tough match against dogged opposition.
Hopefully there'll be the first of many home victories to celebrate tomorrow afternoon. Play Up Pompey!
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Paul JONES
RB: Alex WYNTER
CB: Ben CHORLEY
CB: Jack WHATMOUGH
LB: Nicky SHOREY
CM: James DUNNE
CM: Danny HOLLANDS
CM: Nigel ATANGANA
RWF: Jed WALLACE
LWF: Miles STOREY
CF: Craig WESTCARR
Cambridge
GK: Chris DUNN
RB: Richard TAIT
CB: Josh COULSON
CB: Tom BONNER
LB: Greg TAYLOR
RM: Ryan DONALDSON
CM: Liam HUGHES
CM: Tom CHAMPION
LM: Harrison DUNK
CF: Kwesi APPIAH
CF: Adam CUNNINGTON
Last Time: Portsmouth 1 Cambridge United 0 (League Cup First Round Second Leg - 05/09/2000)
Having drawn the first leg 0-0, record signing Lee Mills finally scores a goal to take Tony Pulis' side to the next round of the cup before losing the next tie 5-1 to Blackburn on aggregate.
My Prediction
Pompey to get off to a winning start in the league at home after one-and-a-half good performances so far this season.
Portsmouth 2 Cambridge United 1