Portsmouth - Sunderland

Posted Tuesday, February 09, 2010 by Goal.com

Sunderland eager to avoid a relegation scrap; Pompey need points.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Kick-off 19:45 GMT, Fratton Park, Portsmouth.

Bottom of the league... financially ambiguous... a manager involved in a scandel that includes a masseuse parlour… and only recently taken over for an astonishing fourth time in one year. Things may look glum for Portsmouth off-the-field, but their performances - Manchester United aside - are not characteristic of a side facing a demotion from the Premier League into England's Championship tier.

Seven points adrift from safety, though, is a bridge that may not just be too far, but one whose boards are beginning to fall away from the wind-battered rope and into the pit below making it infinitely harder to cross. Prior to a Chelsea tie in March, Pompey can make a big leap forward by obtaining a hat-trick of positive results against Sunderland (at home), Stoke City (at home), and Burnley (away).

First off; Sunderland.

The way Steve Bruce has been talking recently, it appears he regards the Black Cats' strong start to the season as a burden. On the club's slip from top-half to the bottom-half of the table, Bruce noted: "For whatever reason, in the last eight weeks, it has gone a bit pear-shaped. You have to try to adapt, learn from it and learn from your mistakes and get better.

"We got off to a wonderful start, maybe too good," he added. "It was just like everyone in the north east – everyone's expectation went 'woosh'."

Even though his side will be playing away from home, the fans will be regarding a trip to Fratton Park as the ideal fixture to return to winning ways; they have not tasted victory (in the Premier League) since their 1-0 win over Arsenal in November.

Grant has been defiant over the club's survival cause. He recently stated that the fight is still one worth having: "The players give everything and the supporters are great so how could I say to them that I'm leaving now? I will do everything to help keep this club alive."

Portsmouth have the upper hand over Sunderland. They have fought each other twice recently, with a tie-score in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, and a Pompey win in the FA Cup in January.

FORM GUIDE

Portsmouth

Feb 6: Manchester United 5-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Feb 3: Fulham 1-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Jan 31: Manchester City 2-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Jan 26: Portsmouth 1-1 West Ham (Premier League)
Jan 23: Portsmouth 2-1 Sunderland (FA Cup)

Sunderland

Feb 6: Sunderland 1-1 Wigan Athletic (Premier League
Feb 1: Sunderland 0-0 Stoke City (Premier League)
Jan 27: Everton 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Jan 23: Portsmouth 2-1 Sunderland (FA Cup)
Jan 16: Chelsea 7-2 Portsmouth (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Portsmouth

Pompey boss Avram Grant will be currently worrying about a number of his first-team squad players including John Utaka and Papa Bouba Diop (both hamstring), Aaron Mokoena (knee), and Michael Brown (back).

Hermann Hreidarsson is gradually recovering from a calf injury and should be fit in a week's time.

Former Arsenal graduate Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, a pacey forward, could be handed a starting debut after a short string of cameo roles.

Last starting XI (versus Manchester United): James, Rocha, Vanden Borre, Ben-Haim, Belhadj, O'Hara, Mullins, Hughes, Wilson, Piquionne, Webber.

Sunderland

The Black Cats' defensive problems show no signs of easing up; centre back pair Anton Ferdinand (ankle) and John Mensah (hamstring) continue to be sidelined.

Kieran Richardson is out of action due to a calf problem while youngster Jordan Henderson suffered an ankle knock.

Last starting XI (versus Wigan Athletic): Gordon, Hutton, Turner, Kilgallon, McCartney, Henderson, Cana, Cattermole, Reid, Jones, Bent.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portsmouth

Upon completion of acquiring his services, former manager Paul Hart was thrilled to declare that he "got his man" when Danny Webber signed terms with the Fratton Park side. There may have been a change in management since the player's summer switch from Sheffield United, but the striker is yet to deliver the form expected of him by Hart, and is still to shine under current gaffer Avram Grant. He did, however, score his first league goal a fortnight ago.

Sunderland

He may have denied allegations that he sought an exit from the Stadium of Light during the winter transfer window, following a refusal on Steve Bruce's part to sell or allow the player a loan move, but if Kenwyne Jones wants to continue to attract admiring glances then he will want to maintain - or even increase - the level that prompted the attraction in the first place. Against a deflated Pompey side, he may not get a greater chance to score all season…

PREDICTION

Portsmouth 1-1 Sunderland