Portsmouth vs Everton Preview

Last updated : 20 March 2009 By Jim Bonner
Pompey are still smarting from that late equaliser at Middlesbrough but have got to pick themselves up quickly for the visit of Everton for the early kick off at Fratton Park tomorrow.

It's hard to believe that we beat the Toffees 3-0 on their own patch at the start of the season given our respective league positions but how our fortunes have changed over time, eh?

There's a small possibility that David Moyes could take his side to 4th place in the league but they should definitely finish in the top six at least as well as having a trip to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to.

On the other hand we've got no money, no permanent manager and we're out of the relegation zone on goal difference after Marlon King snatched two points from us last week.

Despite the difference between the two sides I don't think there will be much difference on the pitch tomorrow because they have a few key players such as Yakubu and Mikel Arteta out with injury and if we can turn the game into a scrap then I believe we will have the upper hand.

The bad news for Paul Hart is that Jermaine Pennant is out for three weeks after limping off at Middlesbrough. Nadir Belhadj is the most likely player to replace him though John Utaka remains another "option".

Even more bad news for us is that Tim Cahill should be fit for the game and given how bad we are at marking this season it's quite likely that he will pop up and score.

I hope that Hart has finally listened to Theofanis Gekas and gives him a chance should Louis Saha score before his legs break or if Cahill scores his typical jammy trademark header/tap-in. Gekas is chomping at the bit and his record suggests that he's the man to unleash should we fall behind.

We need something out of this game in honesty. A defeat would put us straight back in the bottom three and we would be under huge pressure when going to Hull for our next game. A win would obviously be huge but given that Everton have only been beaten once in 18 games then that is easier said than done.

It won't be pretty but all that matters is the three points. Play Up Pompey!

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Pompey

GK: David JAMES

RB: Glen JOHNSON
CB: Sol CAMPBELL
CB: Sylvain DISTIN
LB: Hermann HREIDARSSON

RM: Nadir BELHADJ
CM: Sean DAVIS
CM: Hayden MULLINS
LM: David NUGENT

AM: Niko KRANJCAR

CF: Peter CROUCH

Everton

GK: Tim HOWARD

RB: Lars JACOBSEN
CB: Phil JAGIELKA
CB: Joleon LESCOTT
LB: Leighton BAINES

DM: Phil NEVILLE

CM: Marouane FELLAINI
CM: Stephen PIENAAR
CM: Tim CAHILL
CM: Leon OSMAN

CF: JO

Last Time: Pompey 0 Everton 0

Nothing really happened in this dull draw. Sulley Muntari came close with a free kick whilst Stephen Pienaar was never sent off despite committing about 8 yellow card offences.

Pundit Watch

Lawro: Draw (0-0)
Sky Sports: Away Win (1-2)
Soccernet: Away Win
Paul Merson: Draw (1-1)

My Prediction: It's difficult to see Pompey winning this one given Everton's form, especially away from home. Then again I think we're good enough at home to put up a fight and claim a draw, which wouldn't be the worst result in the world.

Pompey 1 Everton 1