Pompey go into their penultimate fixture of the season today, than the big one comes at last.
Vital Quotes:
Two things stand in our way, first up Fulham, they are the current form team in the Premiership, after 2 years without an away win, Fulham have pulled off 2 on the bounce, the second is Pompey’s stage fright, the telly rolls into town, we play crap, it’s a fact which goes back to the early nineties, occasionally we turn it on, but generally fall flat on our arses. In case you it slipped your attention, 6th place is good enough for a Uefa spot now, the Premiership qualified fo another spot in the fair play league.
Pompey Team News:
Jamo has declared himself fit, but Harry is indicated their is still a slight problem, I feel he is currently sat at home wrapped in the finest Johnson and Johnson products. Sol has tight hamstrings, you can read into that what you like also, but if it what was a run of the mill end of season match, I reckon he would figure.
Noe Pamarot may make a surprise return to action, the man with the award for goal of the Pompey season, has been absent since opening his knee ligaments at Bolton back in February.
Up front Defoe will get a chance to sign off his season a match early with a goal or two, Baros is a likely starter, but Kanu or Nugent may figure heavily.
Mendes is fit again, and I would be surprised if he doesn’t feature somewhere in the game, it really does look like his last game at Fratton.
Muntari is over his knock as well, but depending how strong a side Harry will risk, Mvuemba may hold down his spot still. Davis is in a similar situation as Mendes, since the arrival of Diarra, he has slipped down to a bit part player after a storming first half of the season, he will hope to figure against the club he blasted into the Premiership 7 years ago. Diarra is another who is allegedly carrying a “knock”
Player to watch: Defoe
Only bloke who can’t play next week, he has been vocal in his frustration, so take it out on Fulham Jermain!
Fulham Team News:
Fulham find themselves in a position that us Pompey fans know all to well, they have scrapped out of the bottom 3, but still need a result to make sure, Stefanovic has done his best to rock the boat, he is tipping Pompey for the points! The bookies however have made the unprecedented move of making Fulham the favourites for the match, they obviously believe the Cottagers will want it more.
Kamara will be out to show we were wrong to let him go, he has talent in bucketloads, but is often let down at the last moment in front of goal. Brian McBride will be the other goal threat, the big Yank seems to score when it matters. Nevland is pushing to start after netting last week, but he like the fit at last Litmanen, will find Hodgson sticking to awinning formula.
Player to watch: McBride
Big Bri is a force in the air, Pompey have shown an ineptitude at corners and set pieces of late, is the there a better exponent of exploiting that?
Match Facts & Stats
Last time at Fratton was 18 months ago, andy Cole netted Pompey’s equaliser after the now derparted Zat Knight had nodded Fulham in front.
Ref Watch:
Alf Buksh
Match Prediction:
Pompey have lost 3 on the trot, Fulham have won 4 of the last 6, will Pompey sit back and cruise waiting for Wembley, or will thet try and payback a bit of fans loyalty? Hedge your bets here.
Next Fixtures:
Cardiff, you know the rest.