We all know what a bad January we've had. However that is nothing compared to the turmoil Wigan Athletic are going through. The Latics have suffered 9, yes nine straight defeats since beating West Ham at Upton Park in December, that run includes the 2-1 defeat to Pompey at Fratton Park last month. Ironically, we also haven't won a Premiership match since beating West Ham away on Boxing Day!
Both sides will need to win for different reasons tomorrow. Should we fail to beat Wigan then we could end up dropping out of the top 6 for the first time all season depending on how Reading and Everton do. If Wigan fail to win they could end the day in the bottom 3, so it's a key game for both clubs.
Wigan's new signing Julius Aghahowa could be handed a debut (no doubt a scoring one) against us and is likely to be partnered by ex-Chesterfield striker Caleb Folan as Emile Heskey, Lee McCulloch and Henri Camara are all doubts. Arjan De Zeeuw is also still injured and won't play against his former club.
Djimi Traore was injured in Tuesday's stalemate with Middlesbrough but thankfully Noe Pamarot has recovered from his groin injury in time to replace him at left back. Sean Davis and Niko Kranjcar are also back in the squad and although Kanu and Andy Cole are tipped to start up front, I strongly hope Benjani starts as he has pace to unlock the leaky Wigan defence and hopefully he can repeat his goalscoring exploits of last season.
If we are going to challenge for Europe then a draw in this fixture is not good enough. Wigan have only won three times at home all season but I just can't help thinking that we will gift them a win as we always do with the struggling sides and Aghahowa will predictably score on his debut. They are there for the taking so I'm hoping that Pompey prove me wrong tomorrow and we can finally record a league win in 2007!
Premiership Past: Wigan Athletic vs Pompey
05/06: Wigan Athletic 1 Pompey 2
Camara scores. Offside.
Camara scores. Goal.
Benjani scores first ever Pompey goal.
Teale handball in box. Penalty. Red Card.
Taylor scores penalty.
You know the rest....
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Home Win (2-1)
Sky Sports: Draw (2-2)
Soccernet: Away Win