Portsmouth vs Wigan

29/3- Portsmouth are currently placed on the 9^th position on the points table but they can move up to the 6^th spot this weekend when they take on Wigan, they trail the 3 teams above them by a mere 2 points and also have played a match less which gives them an edge on the assumption that they will be able to get a victory in the extra match they have on their side.  This weekend they get ready to play hosts to one of the teams lying in the bottom half of the table, Wigan. Currently placed at the 14^th position on the table Wigan have managed to move up from the relegation zone following their efforts in the last few matches and playing against them in current form might not be a mere cakewalk. However the last time both these teams met was earlier this season and Portsmouth were victorious in the away tie with a 0-2, score line. Both these sides have faced each other on 5 occasions of which Portsmouth have managed victory thrice while Wigan have only been able to win twice and that gives the home team a little edge.

Portsmouth would start off as favourites as they have a good record at home and have shown decent form in the recent past, though they lost against Tottenham in an away tie last week they have won 5 of their last 10 games and also hold a good record against Wigan.

Wigan on the other hand are a different side than the one which played against Portsmouth in the first half of the season and though the team is the same the form and the approach has changed since they have moved out of the relegation zone. They would try to at least pull off a point form the match.

Prediction: 1-1, draw

Tottenham vs Portsmouth

22/3- Tottenham, placed eleventh on the points table get prepared this weekend to take on the sixth placed Portsmouth in a home tie after the fantastic performance they put up last week. While the home team is trying to get an entry in the top half of the points table by the end of the season the visiting team would be trying to keep their sixth spot, an improvement would get them a berth to European competitions next year. While Tottenham have won just two of their last five matches, their opponents come into this match after having won 4 of the last 5 matches played by them. Also the two sides have contrasting styles of play while Tottenham have been relying on their forwards to score the goals, Portsmouth have been a team that has defended well and conceded very few goals and are not that heavily dependent on their frontline. The home support that Tottenham would get can be the difference between the two sides as the defensive skills of Portsmouth would be tested against the attacking skills of Tottenham.

Tottenham would be hoping to strike goals and break the Portsmouth defence, Robbie Keane has been their main striker with 14 goals this season and he would be the player who would be expected to deliver for his team. Head coach Juande Ramos would be happy to see an injury free squad and hence could choose his best team to get on the field for the tie.

Portsmouth on the other hand would be aware about the importance of this match, with just 8 more matches to go before the end of the season they would want to keep and improve the sixth position and they cannot afford to lose points in this tie as seventh placed Aston Villa are just a point behind them.

Prediction: 2-2, Draw

Everton vs Portsmouth

2/3- Everton are probably the surprise package of the season and with their consistent top class performance they have been able to keep away Liverpool from the top 4 sides of the premiership and also brought in more competition for the other teams to tackle. They get prepared to take on Portsmouth at home this week after having two very successful weeks of premiership matches. Liverpool are just under the nose of Everton and a win could keep them away from the charging team in red. The last match between the sides was a goalless draw earlier this season however with both sides in good form some goals can be expected this time. The overall record between the teams clearly suggests that Everton have been the dominant side by far winning 6 of the 9 matches played between the sides in the last 15 years. Everton also appear to be in better form as they have won 6 of their last 10 matches played while Portsmouth have managed victories in only 4 of their last 10 matches.

Everton will be highly confident about their chances as they go into this home match after two successive wins, the last one being against Manchester City in an away tie. Also with the home crowd behind them it would be difficult to beat them and if Yakubu and Cahill can fire the side will be looking for a full three points off this tie.

Portsmouth on the other hand also come into this match after a good 1-0 home win against Sunderland last week. A win this week could help them climb at least a couple of spots and also bring them in contention for a top 6 finish which can help them qualify for the European stage next season.

Prediction: 2-1, Everton win

Portsmouth vs Sunderland

23/2- After a winning moment last week Portsmouth now gear up to take on Sunderland in a home tie in an attempt to try and reach out for a spot in next year’s European championships. Currently on the ninth position they are 6 points away from the 6^th position, which can make them eligible for Europe next year. They have been fabulous while playing away from home but they have been way disappointing in the matches at home and this weekend get a good chance to improve their record. The visitors on the other hand are placed 14^th on the points table have risen out of the relegation after some strong performances in the last few weeks but Sunderland’s form away from home can be simply defined as dreadful as they have not won a single match but lost 11 of the 13 matches played away from home this season. However in a match earlier this season Sunderland had defeated Portsmouth in a home tie and that would be a ray of hope for the visitors as the take on the same team in an away tie.

Portsmouth come into this match after two very strong performances, a home draw against Chelsea a couple of weeks ago and an away win against Bolton last week. In Mwaruwari the home team possess a good striker and his contribution towards the side has to be significant if they hope to gain a full three points of this tie.

Sunderland on the other hand have been following a pattern for the last 6 matches where they have won a match and lost the next one and since they have won their last match they would be careful and avoid defeat this week. Sunderland would be looking to at least get a point from this away tie and try and ensure that they can consolidate themselves outside the danger zone.

Prediction: 2-1, Portsmouth win

Bolton vs Portsmouth

9/2- Bolton would be really flying high after they were able to register their first away victory that came against Reading last week and they get ready to play hosts to the 10^th placed Portsmouth. While the sides are separated by 4 spots with Bolton placed on the 14^th place but the difference in terms of points is quite large at 10 points. Portsmouth would also be happy with their last week’s performance as they were able to hold Chelsea for a draw last week while playing at home and their performance against one of the best teams of the premiership was noteworthy. Bolton historically have been a dominant side as they have 6 wins in the 11 matches splayed before this in the past 15 years while 2 have been draws but Portsmouth have been in better form this season and cannot be counted out. The last time both sides met, earlier this season Portsmouth had won the tie 3-1 playing at home.

Bolton would be happy that they have most of their squad injury free and ready for selection while their opponents might be facing a different situation. Anelka has been the best goal source for Bolton this season with 10 goals to his credit. Nolan and Diouf have been good support in the team and to gain success at home all the three players are set to play important roles.

Portsmouth on the other hand can be said to be almost plagued with injuries and Diop is also missing from the mid field as he is on national duty for the African cup. Mwaruwari with 11 goals this season has by far been the best goal scoring option for Portsmouth and the team and fans would look up to him to deliver once again. Portsmouth would be looking for a victory but getting a point with this depleted side would not be a bad result as well.

Prediction: 1-1, draw

Portsmouth vs Derby

19/1- Portsmouth have been the surprise package of the season and their performances have managed to hold them in the top half of the table for a good period of time. In fact for most of the time they gave the top teams a run for their money but the past few matches have changed the course of their season. They have lost 3 of their last 5 matches and just managed to win one with the remainder being a draw. They would be happy to take on the last placed Derby, who have just won a single match in this entire season and in the last 5 matches they have lost 4 and drawn one. Derby are a team that is practically out of the top league and should not pose a threat to Portsmouth, who are playing at home. This is also a good chance for Portsmouth to improve their home record and gain some useful points. Portsmouth are placed on the 9th position and just a couple of points behind the 8th placed Blackburn. Mwaruwari would be their best bet when it comes to the scoring options and Diop is the playmaker in their team. They would try to keep things simple and replicate the performances they delivered in the first half of the season. They would also try and learn from the mistakes they made last week in their loss against a weak team like Sunderland and would like to capitalise for the lost opportunity. Anything less than a win and 3 points would be immensely disappointing for the club, fans and players as well. Derby on the other hand have been isolated by the other teams in terms of points, they would be moving to the first division at the end of the season until something miraculously saves them. Prediction: 2-0, Portsmouth win

Reading vs Portsmouth

1/1- The game would be an example of a defensive fight between two sides with exactly contrasting styles of play, Reading have been flamboyant and have looked to score heavily against most opponents and in the course giving away 42 goals in 20 matches and still clinging on to the 13th position. Portsmouth on the other side have been a comparatively meaner team in terms of giving away goals, they have not scored as many goals as Reading but have given away only 19 goals in as many matches and no doubts they are 3 places above their opponents on the points table at 10th spot. Portsmouth also have history with them as they have won thrice out of the 5 times the clubs have played and other two matches have been draws leaving Reading with no victories against Portsmouth.

Reading have good record at home this season and would be hoping to maintain it but enter this match on a low. Though they showed great heart in their last match against Tottenham they ended on the losing side with the score line reading 6-4 to Tottenham. They have been missing on key player in the mid field and that has been a problem for them as controlling the possession has often been a problem for them but Kitson on the other hand looks in terrific form upfront and his form is crucial for the club’s performance.

Portsmouth on the other hand also go into this match after losing their last match 0-1 against Middlesbrough at home but they would like to recover and also hold an advantage over Reading if we go by history. More over they tend to perform better when away from home and hence a closely competed match can be observed when they whistle blows at Reading.

Prediction: 2-2

Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough

29/12- Two teams in not the best of forms would be pitting against each other when Middlesbrough visit Portsmouth this week. While Portsmouth after making a promising start to the season have slipped to the 8^th position, which is a major shock considering that they constantly appeared in the top 5, their opponents are in the 16^th spot which is just 2 places and 3 points above the relegation zone. Portsmouth would enter this match after a goalless draw against the then league leaders Arsenal at home, on the other side Middlesbrough have lost their last two premiership encounters, the first being at home against West Ham and the last one being 3-0 against Birmingham City in an away tie. In fact, Middlesbrough have not been able to beat Portsmouth since the 1993-94 season as the 8 matches between the clubs then have either resulted in a Portsmouth victory or a draw.

 

Portsmouth is the home team and a lot of encouragement from the crowd will be expected as a win at home will not only help them improve their points’ table position but also their disappointing run at home this season. Mwaruwari has been the most prolific scorer for the club till date and has netted 8 of the 25 goals scored by his side, which is nearly 30%. A good amount of support for him can be expected from the experienced Kanu and Muntari, at least the crowd would hope for that.

 

Middlesbrough on the other hand have to hope that Downing can score more goals and also they can get at least a point out of this away tie as this will help them ensure the safety of the non relegation zone at least for the week as they are already 3 points clear of the relegation zone.

 

Prediction: 2-0, Portsmouth win

Portsmouth vs Arsenal

26/12- Just a day after Christmas the league leaders travel to face the 8th placed Portsmouth. If we look at the history between the two clubs Arsenal stand out to be clear winners as they have won 4 out of the 9 matches played between the clubs while the other 5 have been draws. Arsenal have been in great form this season and that is why they are seen at the top and also in the recent games they have played it reflects as they have won the last 3 games before this match and looked convincing in their victory against Tottenham last week. Portsmouth on the other hand have been slipping away after a bright start to the premiership this season and have lost their last two matches and the last one being a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.

 

Portsmouth have struggled to earn points at home this season and a tie against the best team in the league and that too after 2 consecutive defeats could be quite difficult to handle. Mwaruwari and Muntari have been their top goal scorers but Kanu has also shown touches of brilliance. The home crowd would like all three to fire if they are hoping to earn some points against the visiting Gunners. Portsmouth are just a point above Newcastle and Blackburn and this would be disconcerting as a slip in a game could potentially knock them off the top half of the table as West Han are not that far behind either.

 

Arsenal would want to get this one in the kitty as their first position is under constant threat from arch rivals Manchester United. Adebayor, Fabregas and Van Persie are the super threesome and they would be expected to deliver the goods yet again.

 

Prediction: 0-2, Arsenal win

Liverpool vs Portsmouth

22/12- The match between two teams with similar performance charts would be seen when Portsmouth visit Anfield as both teams have done really badly at home while they have been in sublime form while playing away, while Liverpool’s away form has been the best this season in EPL, Portsmouth come a close second. Hence quite strangely playing at home the Reds have history against them. Both teams are also coming on the back of home losses, while Man U beat Liverpool 1-0, Portsmouth were beaten by Tottenham in a home tie and hence both are looking for some points to revive their season campaign, Liverpool have dropped a position and would be looking to climb back to 4^th spot at least.

 

Liverpool have an inspirational captain and a prolific scorer in Gerrard and Torres has been a great support but they need to combine to deliver in this home tie. Coach Benites would be hoping that his side can come up with a spirited performance and delight the crowd with their 4^th home win this season. A win here would take Liverpool closer to 4^th placed Manchester City and help them to continue their pursuit for the title this season and a moral booster especially for performance at home is vital for them. But this pressure of winning can be a factor going against them.

 

Portsmouth on the other hand are a competitive team and since they are playing away from home they stand a good chance as they have a great away record. They are on the 8^th position but they have played a match less than most of the other top teams. They have a full strength team and with Mwaruwari in striking form, the supporters will hope that the others can play around him. A lot would also be expected of Kanu and he is another player who can single handedly change the entire match.

 

Prediction: 2-3, Portsmouth win

  

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