Portsmouth vs Leeds match preview

Pompey face an intriguing tie against Leeds United on Tuesday night in their bid to qualify for the fourth round of the League Cup. It's a competition where we've rarely done well in recent history - beaten at the hands of Peterborough and Colchester, not forgetting thrashings by Blackburn (twice) and last season's derby disaster at Southampton.

Leeds, however, represent a real chance to progress through the tournament. Personally, it's a little strange that if they beat us it'll be classed as an upset. As long as I've been following football, they've been traditionally above us and pushing for honours; Champions League and UEFA Cup adventures, finishing near the top of the Premiership, winning the title just over a decade ago. Who can forget the two times we met them in the FA Cup - as recently as 1997, our shock 3-2 win at Elland Road had the players dancing on the pitch, whilst in 1999 they avenged that result with a 5-1 thrashing at Fratton.

Last time; Lua makes it 2-0

And yet, their decline is a well documented one. 17th in "The Championship", and on the back of a 1-0 own goal defeat to Brighton where they had two men sent off - add to this their rumoured £80m debt, and it's a bit of a grim time to be a Leeds fan - even moreso than usual! As you'll no doubt remember, if anyone gained from their terrible relegation season it was us - as well as a 6-1 thrasing at Fratton Park in November, there was the small matter of a fantastic 2-1 win at Elland Road in late April; all but saving us, whilst also realistically ending their chances of survival.

You might well say that "revenge" may be on the minds of some of their players, then - but the truth is, so few of their players from last season are still about. Comparing the squad we faced up there six months ago to the one that faced Brighton on Saturday, only two - Kelly and Lennon - have remained. It's a sign of the transformation the Yorkshiremen have had to undergo just to cut their wage bill to a more realistic size - when rubbish like Michael Dubbery are earning £23,000 a week, it's no surprise your finances are up the spout.

What Leeds do have on their side is the fact we'll probably be playing a weaker team. With the Middlesbrough game on Sunday, having to travel back for Monday and then a game on Tuesday, it's certainly a tough schedule - not made any easier by the looming presence of Manchester United coming this weekend. However when you think of the quality of those waiting to step in, it quickly becomes clear that it's not all that bad. Fuller, Taylor, Hughes, Mezague, Cisse, Ashdown - perhaps even Harper and Berkovic - all are players who can certainly do a job if asked. Especially so against a team who are so low on confidence as the visitors currently are.

A Leeds "threat"

I'm not saying it'll be easy at all; cup games have a nasty habit of doing peculiar things, and Leeds could be well up for this one - the chance to progress and earn a bit more cash, for a start. Let's also not forget they do have some decent young players; Carson between the sticks, as well as Pugh and Richardson in midfield. Unfortunately for them, they have the cutting edge of a turnip - although that's what happens when you stick Brian Deane and Michael Ricketts up front.

It'll certainly be a physical contest but this really is a good chance of progressing - not only that, but we can keep most of our "first choice" squad rested before the weekend, whilst still naming a strong looking side - a happy reflection of our squad depth these days. It'll be nice to see what those on the fringes are capable of too; I'm quite interested to see what Mezague is like in competitive action after only seeing him represent the reserves. Let's hope for a professional and not too nervy evening; 2-0 would do nicely.