Portsmouth

Middlesbrough

Manager: Gordon Strachan
Key Player: Kris Boyd

The Teesiders have undergone a revamp over the summer, with manager Gordon Strachan bolstering his already fairly talented and accomplished squad with some Scottish blood. We feel he’s made some promising additions, many of which he’s managed before while at Celtic. There are now no less than six Scottish players involved with Middlesbrough, all of which are likely to play a prominent role this seas as the club aim to bounce back to the premiership following a rather deflating 2009/2010 season spent in the Championship.

Strachan’s new signings include the prolific Kris Boyd, whom was sensational as a striker in the SPL with Kilmarnock and Rangers when scoring 164 goals in a decade, and Strachan has shown his belief in the Scotlan international by handing him the No. 9 shirt ahead of the new campaign, hinting that Boyd will be one of the first names on his team sheet. Boyd was followed in by Kevin Thomson, a former team-mate at Rangers, and both should have plenty to discuss with former Celtic players Stephen McManus, Willo Flood and Barry Robson. They’ll be some banter flying around in trainging that’s for sure, but that’s going to be a positive thing for everyone as Boro have been lacking some team spirit in recent campaigns but now have some steely individuals which are going to rally behind one another. It’s also pleasing to see such a variety now at The Riverside, ranging from the combative players like McManus, Robson and Wheater right through to those technically gifted individuals like Nicky Bailey, Justin Hoyte and Gary O’Neill. There’s a nice blend about Middlesbrough, a team far more compact and a lot more complete than they appeared at the beginning of last season and evidentially were, as their mediocre finish of 11th proved.

I know every club at this level will feel they deserve to be in the Premier League and that their club is ready-made for the big time, but with Middlesbrough those sentiments really do ring true. Especially now that both Newcastle United and Sunderland are playing at the highest level, it’s doubly important that Gordon Strachan gets the ball rolling as soon as possible and we feel he’s built up a team capable of achieving that goal this year. He has a stronger defence than last season, more craft and forward intent and purpose in the midfield but more importantly forwards that will score the 15+ goals they need to propel them up the table and into genuine promotion reckoning. We really like Middlesbrough this season, so much so we’ve had a few pounds on them clinching the title at shortish odds, so we hope they don’t disappoint.

To Be Promoted: 2/1 PaddyPower
To Be Relegated: 66/1 Coral

Millwall

Manager: Kenny Jackett
Key Player: Steve Morrison

The Lions earned their ticket back to the Championship via the League One play-off’s last season and it’s generally the team which gains promotion via that route which automatically becomes one of the favourites to head straight back the other way. Bookmakers, though, aren’t entirely convinced they will and neither are we. In a hugely competitive league such as this one, you need players which are willing to fight tooth and nail for every ball, for every bit of space and for every blade of grass. Millwall players naturally are born with these traits and it’s one of the reasons why bookmakers reckon they’ll fair alright in the Championship this season.

Millwall are one of a number of sides in this division never to have played in the Premiership, so do they have what it takes to become this seasons surprise package and follow in the unlikely steps of Blackpool last season. If anything Millwall are a bigger club than Blackpool and certainly have the better of the two squads, so in that case it’s not exactly mission impossible. Even so, the priority this season will be to avoid the drop and we think the players will focus on attaining as many wins as possible at The New Den, with an hostile crowd behind them in their favour, and grounding out points elsewhere. They’re a dogged bunch, as many Millwall sides have been in the past, and we think they’ll fair alright against this seasons opposition. There’s plenty of attacking options at Kenny Jackett’s disposal, with goal-getter Neil Harris still plugging away, Steve Morrison as committed as ever when it comes to getting into scoring positions while Kevin Lisbie has been brought in to add further options after completing a move from Ipswich. In fact, there’s just as many forwards at the club than any other position, which underlines the managers general approach to games. Jackett know full well that goals win you games and he’ll be setting his Millwall side up to score goals this season.

We have every faith in this Millwall team that by the end of the season they’ll still be a Championship side. There defence isn’t the most accomplished or talented in the league but like we’ve mentioned enough times already, Millwall are a rugged bunch and they’ll match anyone for spirit and determination this season. They’ll beat tough to beat, especially at The New Den, it’s all about their away form and how they cope with travelling to bigger venues and competing against better equipped sides.

To Be Promoted: 16/1 Coral
To Be Relegated: 6/1 totesport

Norwich City

Manager: Paul Lambert
Key Player: Wes Hoolahan

After a sluggish start, Norwich really took League One by storm and ended up winning the title convincingly. Nine points separated them from their nearest pursuer, Leeds United, while it was their consistent nature which evidentially insured that this season wouldn’t be spent in the discomfort of League One and instead in the brighter and prosperous Championship. The man which deserves a large portion of the credit is manager Paul Lambert, who joined at the very start of the season as the club was enduring a difficult start to the campaign but instantly transformer their fortunes. From then on Norwich were tremendously difficult to beat, most of the time simply impossible to even stop, and come the end routed League One. The Championship will be a different proposition altogether but the confidence should be high following a season which contained a staggering 29 league victories, but can they really come close to emulate the sort of form which clinched them the League One title last season against far stiffer opposition?

The bookmakers are quietly fancying Norwich’s chances or retaining their Championship status, which after gaining immediate promotion back to the league will be their foremost goal this season. The Canaries were very good last season, exceptional at times, but it’s unlikely they’ll have matters all their own way back in the Championship. They do nevertheless have some gifted individuals who will make them an attractive proposition this season. Wes Hoolahan has become a huge fan favourite and his darting runs, as well as his ability to find the corners of the goal with consummate ease, will be a problem for opposing defenders. But the main man will be Grant Holt, now the club captain, as he found scoring goals in the league below a breeze and it was his tally of 24 which helped Norwich take the division by storm. He was, though, amply assisted by Chris Martin, who bagged 15 league goals last season, and at 21 years-old is a promising young star for Norwich. Paul Lambert has made some interesting new additions though since the end of last season, with Gillingham favourite Simeon Jackson now adding to Norwich’s already flourishing forward options and also adding some flair and pace to their game, as Elliot Ward, Steven Smith, Andrew Surman, Andrew Crofts and John Ruddy all provide a fresh feel and will be pushing last seasons first-team regulars for a permanent role in Lambert’s starting eleven.

I do worry a little with Norwich City as while they do boast enough craft in the midfield, while Grant Holt is surely going to snap up anything in his proximity, there defence doesn’t fill me with a great deal of confidence. For starters they have a 21 year-old in goal, and while handing out experience to some of the supposedly keepers of the future is admirable, I always prefer experience over talent when it comes to goalkeeping. There’s going to be a great deal of responsibility falling onto the shoulders of their defensive veterans, the likes of Andrew Drury and Michael Nelson, to ensure whoever lines up alongside them, likely to be a player with very little Championship experience by the looks of it, remains focused throughout. They’ll probably do just enough but we wouldn’t back them as possible promotion candidates.

To Be Promoted: 7/1 bWin
To Be Relegated: 16/1 Bet365

Nottingham Forest

Manager: Billy Davies
Key Player: Radolsaw Majewski

It will be interesting to see how Nottingham Forest respond after coming so close to promotion last season. An exciting play-off semi-final encounter with Blackpool didn’t go their way and so despite finishing the best of the four play-off sides, Forest still find themselves stuck in the Championship and having to do it all over again.

Whether it’s because funds are tight at the moment we don’t know, but manager Billy Davies has done an awful lot in the transfer window other than bring Radoslaw Majewski back to the club following an impressive loan spell at the City Ground last season. The little schemer troubled defences with his jinxing little runs and sharp efforts on goals, and while the Polish international remains Davies’ only capture of the summer thus far, it’s a positive move nonetheless as Forest aim to go one better in 2010/2011. Billy Davies will however be without one player which played an instrumental role in aiding Forest to a third place finish last season, with James Perch sealing a move to Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee. The club were powerless to keep the centre back at the City ground for another season and it leaves Davies short of a quality centre half for the start of the new season. With the exception of Perch, Forest’s squad remains mainly unchanged.

I’m extremely disappointed that Davies hasn’t added to his squad over the summer, with a classy forward in particular needed. I’m not a fan of Dele Adebola while Nathan Tyson’s form comes and goes, as well as Robert Earnshaw not getting any younger, Forest desperately need to liven up their attack. Retaining the services of Majewski is a positive move from the club as he made a real impact last season, but the problem being Forest were too reliant on Earnshaw’s and Blackstock’s goals last season and if one, both even, don’t dig deep and hit a similar vein of form like they did last season, we see little in reserve which Davies can call upon. There’s no reason why the pair shouldn’t get in amongst the goals once again, while Forest played arguably the most attractive and appealing football of the lot last season. We just have our niggle of concerns, even if they are based on mere assumptions.

To Be Promoted: 11/4 SportingBet
To Be Relegated: 40/1 Bet365

Portsmouth

Manager: Steve Cotterill
Key Player: Aaron Mokoena

The number twelve shirt has officially been retired at the club because of the loyal and passionate support of the fans has been deemed the equivalent to the 12th man, and yet the irony is Portsmouth couldn’t fill that shirt regardless right now, as manager Steve Cotterill contemplates heading into the 2010/2011 season without any sort of squad and barely boasting eleven players to form a team. The clubs in a right old mess and Portsmouth FC are about to begin their slide down the English ladder it would seem following the departure of yet more of their stars over the summer in a bid to reduce both the size of their overall debts and their bumptious wage bill.

It must have been a rush of blood to the head which made Steve Cotterill leave his post at League One Notts County and take on the managerial role at Portsmouth, as it’s clear for all to see that the south coast side are a team which has already imploded and its he who is left to pick up the pieces. It’s got to the point where no-one actually knows whose at Portsmouth in terms of players and whose heading out the door. David James, Nadir Belhadj, Steve Finnan, Papa Bouba Diop and the most recent being Tel Ben Haim, have all jumped ship midway through the Portsmouth ship sinking. It is a shame as you’ll struggle to find a more passionate bunch of fans than Portsmouth’s, but the club only have themselves to blame and where avoiding the drop last season in the Premiership seemed impossible, the same can pretty much be said about their chances of doing the same despite playing against lower grade sides.

Too much quality has left the club with not a great deal, if anything at all, has come in the other way. It’s actually frightening to see the pace at which this once historic and traditional football club is dying. It’s also pretty uncommon, that is despite the financial unrest at which most clubs are in right now, for a club to drop down a division and not immediately be touted as possible promptipn candidates. That certainly isn’t Portsmouth and if Cotterill does somehow steer the club onto safe ground this season then a minor miracle will have occurred down South.

To Be Promoted: 9/1 SkyBet
To Be Relegated: 2/1 VictorChandler

Preston North End

Manager: Darren Ferguson
Key Player: Chris Brown

Despite guiding Preston to just six wins in 24 games, the club have remained faithful in their relationship with manager Darren Ferguson, who took over at the club following Alan Irvine’s departure midway through last season and Ferguson’s sacking by Peterborough United. The latter fell flat on their face and were later relegated as Darren Ferguson landed on his feet at Preston. But more, a lot more in fact, will be expected from Ferguson this season, from Preston North End as a club and as a team, as this club should be challenging for promotion.

It was only two seasons ago in the 2008/2009 season that Preston were in the promotion play-off’s. They didn’t have much luck however but at least it was a positive step in the right direction for a club which has spent more time contemplating the drop than progression in recent campaigns. They’re in danger of following into a similar kind of lull and it’s down to the Scot to drag Preston North End out of it. He does boast a bigger squad than most but whether he has anything special or meaningful really does remain to be seen. Preston were dreadful at times last season and conceded more goals than any other team in the division last year, with the exception of bottom placed Peterborough and Scunthorpe, and Ferguson has tried to tighten up his defence with the signings of David Gray, Wayne Brown and former Sheffield United stalwart Craig Morgan. The latter looks interesting and useful addition and should settle in just nicely alongside captain Callum Davidson. Neil Mellor has gone out on loan meaning Paul Hayes, who completed his move from Scunthorpe during the summer, will need to form a budding partnership with Chris Brown and the beast, Jon Parkin, right from the off. Chris Sedgwick, Eddie Nolan and Ross Wallace are among those which seeked out employment elsewhere as Matthew James was brought on loan from Man Utd and Andreas Arestidou on a free transfer from Shrewsury.

We don’t feel Preston North End have strengthened enough over the summer to really be considered as promotion contenders this season. Paul Hayes has been brought in to score the goals but he was overshadowed at Scunthorpe by Gary Hooper and it was Hooper which earned himself a deal in the SPL with giants Celtic, as Hayes settled for a move to Preston. Without a regular goalscorer, someone who will account for at least fifth-teen of their goals this season, Preston will struggle to remain competitive, as in previous campaigns they’ve relied too heavily on goals coming from irregular sources. Criag Morgan should be a decent piece of business for them in defence, but their attack is still too weak for our liking.

To Be Promoted: 14/1 SportingBet
To Be Relegated: 13/2 Coral

Chelsea V Portsmouth

Saturday, 15th May – 15:00 (GMT)
LIVE on ITV1

Chelsea

It was only a few months ago that Carlo Ancelotti and Florent Malouda were joking about the Italian’s weight – all in good spirit of course, so it’s perhaps no surprise that Ancelotti is hungry… for Silverware of course. It was only a week ago, nearly to the day, when Chelsea clinched the Premier League crown with an emphatic 8-0 win at home to Wigan Athletic. Just six days later and they’re aiming to complete an historic double, thus becoming the first Chelsea team in their history to register a league and cup double should they beat Portsmouth at Wembley. 

Not only will Chelsea become double champions were they to beat relegated Portsmouth at Wembley, the Blues of London would become the first team since 2002 to successfully defend their FA Cup trophy, with Arsenal being the last team to do so. The irony back then was Arsenal’s first win as part of that back-to-back success was against Chelsea, while their second was against a far weaker opponent in Southampton. It’s virtually the same, if not better, scenario for Chelsea in that Everton were the team they reigned victorious over last year and a cash-strapped, injury ravaged and relegated Portsmouth are the only thing standing in their way of completing the defence of their title.

The Chelsea team will no doubt head to Wembley in high spirit after their 8-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic last Sunday, thus becoming the first side since Tottenham Hotspur in the 60′s so surpass 100+ goals, although they are the very first to do so in the Premiership. It’s a tad strange because Carlo Ancelotti, while he’s always been a very good coach, has never been one to purposely build a formidable attacking unit, but with Chelsea everything seems to have slotted into place. On their day, and there have been more than enough of those ‘days’ to keep their fans happy this season, Chelsea are unstoppable, a genuine force to be reckoned with in the final third, and the scary thing is, should Chelsea click right from the off on Saturday, they could spark up another cricket scoreline. The neutrals won’t want to see such a sight in the final of the oldest and most prestigious domestic competition in the world, but it’s safe to say that with Portsmouth current predicaments and Chelsea’s striking prowess, a gigantic scoreline is a possibility. 

The biggest final win by any side was Bury beating Derby County 6-0 back in 1903. Chelsea have scored 7+ on four separate occasions this season, thus proving they are more than capable of setting further records on Saturday. However, that certainly won’t be the incentive thrown at the players from Carlo Ancelotti. He will give this spirited Portsmouth bunch the respect they deserve, he won’t allow his Chelsea players to show any signs of complacency because this is the FA Cup, a competition which has built a fearful reputation out of shocks. Were Chelsea to suffer a shock defeat on Saturday, it would arguably rate as the biggest upset in the competitions history. Carlos Ancelotti nor Chelsea as a club want that on their CV we can assure you. We expect professionalism from the start, the winning goals will come in due course.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth will put their money woes and the heartache of losing their Premiership to one side on Saturday, as the club unites for what looks likely to be their last glamour encounter for quite some time when they meet the newly crowned Premier League champions at Wembley. So, Chelsea await Avram Grant’s players in what will surely be a day to saviour regardless of the final score, and it could be a cricket score in fairness, but can the unthinkable really happen? Can small-time Pompey make it two FA Cup victories in as many years, completing what of the shock FA Cup wins in the process. 

If you cast your minds back to the 2004 FA Cup final, where Manchester United clashed with then Championship Millwall, it paints the very same ‘David versus Goliath’ picture, with Portsmouth severe cash-flow problems and lack of first team players surely being no match for the might of a Chelsea side which simply can’t stop scoring. Well, I’m sure we all remember the myth that David did beat Goliath, but we also remember Man Utd cruising past Millwall as well. But then again, this is the same Portsmouth side which defied the odds in the semi-final, a team which thrived on their underdog status to overcome a Tottenham Hotspur team which later went on to secure Champions League football.

Were Avram Grant to do a David Blaine and produced something ridiculously wonderful, it would rate right up their in terms of final shocks. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a final shocker which would beat the feat should Portsmouth spring the ultimate surprise. However, while we would love for this Pompey fairytale to have a ‘happy ever after’ finish to it, that just isn’t going to happen I’m afraid. Grant could have as many as thirteen players missing for the final showdown with Chelsea, while a number are set to make a brisk return just in time for Saturday’s show-piece event. Jamie O’Hara, who has been a revelation at Fratton Park, will go to the lengths of having a painkilling injection just to play a part, so it really is backs to the wall for Avram Grant, and that’s just with picking a starting eleven. 

The positive spin we could put on this is the valiant manner in which Portsmouth closed out what could be their final ever season in the top flight. Since the beginning of April Portsmouth have lost just two competitive games, all Premiership encounters. They were disappointingly beaten on the final day of the season however, Everton scoring the latest of goals to send Portsmouth to their 24th defeat of the campaign. However, once again, as on many occasions this season, Portsmouth played with a lot of spirit, and surprisingly with a lot of confidence. It’s the former though which has seen Pompey make the final of the FA Cup against all odds, and while they lose out in every sense of the word in the quality of player department, there’s no doubting Avram Grant’s men will be more than a match for Chelsea with their spirit, determination and enthusiasm.

Team News

As far as we’re aware, Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t have any fresh injuries woes other than John Obi Mikel is set to miss the final with a knee injury. Michael Ballack will drop into that holding role one would suspect. Michael Essien will obviously miss the final, as will Jose Boswinga. The only ‘maybe’ is whether Ricardo Carvalho will be fit in time, although the likelihood anyway is that John Terry will line up alongside Alex at centre-half.

It’s ridiculous just how many players will miss the final for Portsmouth through injury, while even we are unsure as to whether which players are no longer eligible to play due to their contract clauses. The latter we can do very little about, but Richard Hughes, Hreidarsson and Danny Webber are all definitely ruled out of Saturday’s final; while Tel Ben-Haim, Aruna Dindane, Aaron Mokoena, Jamie O’Hara, Ricardo Rocha, Wilson and Yebda are all either doubts, carrying knocks or will face late fitness tests.

Match Prediction: Chelsea to WIN – 1.20 Bet365

Believe us when we say this, we would LOVE Portsmouth to spring a surprise on Saturday by snatching the FA Cup from out of Chelsea’s grasp, but that’s exactly where the FA Cup is unfortunately, within touching distance for Chelsea. Without trying to set ourselves up for too high a fall, but the simple fact is, Chelsea need only yo turn up, put in a professional display and the FA Cup is theirs for the second year running. Of course, this Portsmouth team has shown bags of spirit and tenacity throughout the competition, their scalp of Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final the evidence to back that up. However, Chelsea are no Tottenham, they rarely do inconsistent and they rarely do slip ups. With Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, there isn’t a chance in hell that Chelsea will fail to turn up on Saturday.

Unfortunately, we don’t see anything less than a Chelsea win. Another unfortunate coming, we don’t see anything other than a comfortable win for Chelsea. We only hope the scoreline doesn’t get ridiculous, that Portsmouth put in a dogged display and make as much of a match of this as they can, for as long as possible. However, in terms of picking a winner, there’s only one and it was very simple – Chelsea.

Match Odds:

Chelsea – 1.20 Bet365
Draw – 7.00 Boylesports
Portsmouth – 17.00 VCbet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Frank Lampard FGS – 5.00 Bet365

Didier Drogba has scored in every FA Cup final he has played, two so far, but has never been the FGS. He scored in Extra-Time when Chelsea beat Man Utd in 2007, while he equalised against Everton in 2009. The Ivorian finished the Premier League with the Golden Boot after accumulating 29 goals for the season, but he’s far too short to be taking on. Instead, Frank Lampard, who scored seven more goals than any other Midfielder in the league (22), gets our nod to open the floodgates at Wembley. He scored the winner against Everton in last seasons final, we reckon Lamps will get the party started on Saturday, plus he takes penalties, as Drogba found out last weekend.

Everton V Portsmouth

Sunday, 9th May – 16:00 (GMT)

Everton

League Position: 8th
Recent Form: DDWDW

Everton’s end of season charge was based upon the small chance of them overhauling Liverpool and stealing seventh position – A position which rewards European football for next season. However, their 0-0 draw at The Brittania last Saturday now means that’s no longer achievable, and so, whereas Everton’s strong finish to the season should have left Toffee fans with plenty of optimism ahead of next seasons campaign, it will will no doubt instead be about the sluggish start this season which, looking back, has cost the club dear.

It’s a real shame that Everton didn’t get what they wished for in Europa League football, as unlike many teams, who down the years haven’t shown the competition the respect it deserves – Europe’s second tier competition – Everton have always shown the tournament the utmost respect and have given their all in every Europa League encounter. They made it as far as the quarter-finals this season when losing out to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon on aggregate, and the Everton fans which have come to love European life in recent years will now have to wait at least another year before fans can get excited about the prospect of Europe once more, while the fact they missed out this season could have drastic consequences in that now the Everton players have experienced what it’s like to play in Europe, some might consider seeking out a move to a club which will reward them with European football.

David Moyes, a manager who we have the utmost respect and admiration for, could face an uphill struggle in retaining some his best players during the summer especially as a handful are likely to shine in South Africa’s 2010 World Cup, leaving a lasting impression on some big clubs around Europe which, should the glamour clubs across Europa come a calling, could lure Moyes’s stars away from Goodison Park and leave David Moyes himself helpless. Fans will be hoping that isn’t the case but after their failure to finish in the European spots, that does unfortunately look an ever likely scenario.

The strong finish to the season just might keep the Everton players interested in what David Moyes has to offer though, as after seeing the way in which Everton finished the season in style; like a steam train, surely their chances of obtaining European football next season look strong. Whether or not the squad is patient enough to wait that long, only time will tell, but a win on the final day of the season won’t just leave a positive, lasting impression with the fans but also with the squad itself. Players will only stay if they know the team has a strong chance of finishing in Europe next season, so should they dismantle Portsmouth on Sunday, which they should in fairness, players likes Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, Pienaar and Yakubu will all think twice about seeking a move away from Merseyside.

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th
Recent Form: DDLDW

It’s been a season of turmoil and strife for Portsmouth Football Club, with their ever increasing and alarming debts the talking point around Fratton Park for most of the season, while the harsh reality of the situation was compounded when the club was docked 9 points for going into administration back in February, effectively killing off Portsmouth’s Premiership relegation status as a direct result. The concern with the fans is how will the club recover, and will they ever embrace the heights of the Premiership again? The Club seems as though it could be doomed, destined to drift away into the shadows of lower league football, so Sunday could represent an emotional day for the fans as they wave goodbye to England’s top flight after a largely enjoyable seven year stay in the Premiership.

It’s expected to be a sell out at Goodison Park, like it was at Fratton Park last Saturday in a game where the fans saw their side put on one final show for their benefit. Portsmouth took on Wolves in their final home game of the season, so it was fitting that they should end a mentally draining season on a genuine high with just their seventh win of the season, their fifth at Fratton Park after a resounding 3-1 victory. It was the ideal result for Pompey, as their FA Cup final encounter with Chelsea rapidly approaches, but more importantly it was the perfect tonic, no better way to wave goodbye to Premiership football at Fratton Park than with an emphatic victory.

We congratulate Portsmouth’s efforts on Saturday but the harsh reality is that could be the last time the Portsmouth fans ever see a Premier League game on home soil. Sunday could also be the last time they make a banter filled trip to see an away game in the Premier League as well, so the emphasis on putting in another spirited display should be huge from Avram Grant and his players, as everyone at the club owe the fans at least a decent display this Sunday. By the same token, we understand that their FA Cup final with Chelsea is of more importance, while their final is now just around the corner what with the season drawing to a close on Sunday afternoon. Even so, the fans don’t deserve another drubbing on Sunday and it’s down to the manager and the players to ensure that doesn’t occur.

We’re expecting a comfortable home win for Everton, but that’s not to say it will actually turn out like that. In fact, Portsmouth’s recent away form would suggest the complete opposite after two successive away draws has put the team on the verge of a three match unbeaten away run, what would be their longest away streak without losing a game should they avoid defeat at Goodison. However, those draws did come against teams not too far off themselves in Bolton and Wigan Athletic, while Everton remains a different kettle of fish altogether. Even so, Portsmouth have only lost one of their last five league games and, while this looks a tricky fixture on paper, the Pompey camp will be surprisingly upbeat about their chances.

Match Verdict: Everton to WIN – 1.30 PaddyPower

While we wouldn’t begrudge Portsmouth a final day celebration at Goodison Park, it’s difficult to oppose David Moyes’s Toffees, a side which has finished stronger than any other team in the league and are determined to end the season in the same vein. David Moyes will know the importance of finishing the season on a high note, as anything less than victory at home against bottom of the league Portsmouth would scupper any chances Moyes has of keeping some of his star players.

Portsmouth, well, they will now have one eye on their dream final, that FA Cup final with Chelsea near the end of the month, and while they’ll be doing their all to ensure they don’t leave the Prmeiership with a whimper, they might have no say in the matter as they make the trip to Merseyside with a vastly inferior team.

It’s Everton for us to end the season in style leaving the Portsmouth fans to ponder why and how they ever got into this mess.

Match Odds

Everton – 1.30 PaddyPower
Draw – 5.50 Boylesports
Portsmouth – 10.00 VCbet

SoccerBetting Pick: Everton/Everton (HT/FT Betting) – 1.91 bWin

Portsmouth V Wolverhampton Wanderers

Saturday, 1^st May – 15:00 (GMT)

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

Recent Form: LDDLD

Motive: No – Relegated

Portsmouth’s survival dreams were tainted some months ago, but Avram Grant’s men haven’t yet decided to roll over and simply hand out points, as Owen Coyle and Bolton found out last Saturday when Portsmouth came from the dead to snatch a point after previously trailing 2-0 at half-time. The point will do little for their cause as bottom is where Pompey will finish, but with the FA Cup final now just a few weeks away, some positive momentum is required heading into what seemed an impossible Wembley date at the start of the campaign.

Portsmouth drew for the third time in four games on Saturday as they frustrated Bolton fans, and many punters around the country by coming back from a seemingly impossible position to earn a point. By the interval Portsmouth were already 2-0 down and looking like a team which could go on to concede a few more, so quite how they managed to not only keep a clean sheet in the second half but score two goals of their own to thwart Bolton’s bid for three points is a question we suppose only the great leader himself, Avram Grant, can answer. Grant has always claimed to have a spirited bunch and it’s not too difficult to see why.

April was a fruitful month for Portsmouth, as Avram Grant steered his team to just one defeat in all competitions. The highlight was, of course, the FA Cup semi-final scalp of Tottenham Hotspur which has seen the club defy adversity to reach their second FA Cup final in as many years. However, their berth into Wembley’s show-piece has come at a price as now several of Grant’s key players can no longer play for Portsmouth due to financial reasons. Players have even resorted to begging their parent clubs to play for free, with Aruna Dindane agreeing with Lens to play the remainder of the season with Portsmouth without a fee. He showed his delight at the news by scoring two goals at The Reebok and the Ivory Coast forward can now look forward to his first FA Cup final.

Basically, the FA Cup will be the main focus for Portsmouth between now and the end of the season, which is just a couple of games away from it’s conclusion. The aim will be to rotate the squad in a bid to keep legs fresh, but not to roll over and lose games on the trot as they’ve proven in the last month of fixtures. They know their final with Chelsea will be difficult, almost impossible, but some good form before the final and Portsmouth, with confidence under their wings, could maybe, just maybe, pull off the final shock of shocks. They’ll continue trying to build up some steam at home against Wolves on Saturday, a team they they beat 1-0 at Molineux earlier in the season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

League Position: 15th

Recent Form: DLDDD

Motive: No

It was joyous scenes down at Molineux on Saturday as their point with Blackburn meant the club had survived for the very first time in the Premiership. Of course, their fate was actually sealed into Burnley were K.O’ed 24 hours later but that didn’t stop the fans from charging on the pitch as they knew full well only a miracle of biblical proportions would drag Wolves back down a division. Mick McCarthy will have one eye on some summer transfer targets, ones which he will hope just might keep them in the division a further season, but first he must aim to end the season in style by avenging the 1-0 defeat his men suffered at the hands of Portsmouth at Molineux earlier in the season.

Avoiding the drop was paramount with the fans, it just had to be achieved after their last season in the Premiership ended in a miserable fashion with Wolves finishing bottom of the league during the 2003-2004 campaign. Now, however, Wolves can make an audacious climb up the table and could potentially finish the season as high as 14^th, which would have seemed an unbelievable finish at the start of the season. Victory away at already relegated Portsmouth and Wolves will climb into 14^th position, and although the season maybe done and dusted in terms of completing their main objective, we are sure the fans would love to go out on a high and with a winning bang.

Wolves will, however, need to banish a five game drought first if they wish to end the season with a winning memento. Not since the 23^rd of February have Wolves won a Premier League fixture when they sent West Ham to a 3-1 defeat at Upton Park. Since then, however, Wolves haven’t managed to win a game after four draws and a loss, with their loss coming away at Arsenal. Wolves can actually end the season on a real high though should they avoid defeat in their two remaining fixtures, both of which are very winnable fixtures on paper. They start with this trip to Portsmouth while the return home where they’ll receive a rapturous reception when they get there as Sunderland come to town for the last fixture of the 2009-2010 season

The longest Wolves have gone without losing this season was four games during a fruitful March. A succession of three draws against Stoke City, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers means Wolves could end the season with their longest unbeaten streak of the campaign; 5 games. You’d expect the lads to get at least something out of this fixture down on the South Coast as anyone and everyone has taken points off of Portsmouth this season, while a home fixture with Sunderland on the final day of the season also gives McCarthy’s Wolves a glorious opportunity to cap a highly successful season.

Match Verdict: Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

This is a tough fixture to assess and highlight a potential winner as neither have anything important to play for other than minor placings for Wolves and some pride and momentum for Portsmouth. The latter will want to build up some steam ahead of their FA Cup final with Chelsea in a few weeks time, while Wolves will want to finish as high up the table as possible and could take further strides up the league with a win on the South Coast. Our vote, though goes the way of the draw as we just can’t split the two. Wolves lack that steely determination and match winning desire at the best of times while Portsmouth, well, no-one actually knows who will turn up for their games such is the confusion cloud lurking over Fratton Park right now. We don’t think you can go too far wrong with a small cheeky on the draw in a game which could very well pass by without a moments notice.

Match Odds

Portsmouth – 2.55 Expekt

Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

Wolverhampton Wanderers – 3.00 VCbet

SoccerBetting Value Pick: 0-0 Correct Score – 9.50 SportingBet

Bolton Wanderers V Portsmouth

Saturday, 24^th April – 15:00 (GMT)

Bolton Wanderers

League Position: 14th

Recent Form: LLLLW

Bolton gave their fans a welcomed boost as their victory at The Brittania last Saturday parachuted Bolton seven points clear off the drop and into assured safety. It would take some bizarre end of season results to see Bolton relegated, although that doesn’t mean Owen Coyle will allow his players to take their foot off the gas. Bolton appear safe but one more win and it will be all but a certainty. A home fixture with an already relegated Portsmouth is just about the perfect platform to confirm your Premiership status for another season.

It’s been a rough old ride for Bolton fans this season. They’ve had to endure some dire periods of form while the club also waved goodbye to a manager which has kept them in the Premiership for the past two season in Gary Megson, although Megson’s departure was met with celebration rather than congratulations and Good Luck. It was a lack of appreciation, a severe lack of respect that we didn’t appreciate nor enjoyed seeing as a manager who’s sole aim at the club was to avoid the drop. Something he achieved in his two seasons at the club but still didn’t get the respect we feel he deserved. However, Owen Coyle seems to have performed a similar survival act, although the manner in which he pulled it off has pleased the fans because of Coyle’s desire to make Bolton’s football pleasing on the eye.

Bolton have kept their Premiership status in tact for what would be eight seasons should they survive the current campaign. In all of those eight, Bolton have avoided the depths of the league with their famous ‘rustle & bustle’ approach to game. A manner, or style of play which had made the club famous for all the wrong reasons in some people’s eyes. Fans didn’t enjoy watching their football while opposing managers just didn’t like taking their players to The Reebok to play them. But, however, regardless of all the dislikes, it was an effective ploy and the arrival of Owen Coyle has led to massive changes, with Coyle trying to get Bolton into that brand of teams who play proper football. It’s been successful up to a point in the half-a-season he’s had at the club, but whether it will work throughout an entire season is another question.

The fact we’re even dribbling on about how Bolton might fare next season is a clear indication into how we feel Bolton will fare on Saturday; very well. This is a three point banker on paper against what is a Portsmouth team already relegated from the Premiership, who have nothing left to play for but an FA Cup final in May. The league is now a distraction, while several key names won’t even feature again for the club due to financial restraints. With kids beginning to take to the field for Pompey, surely Bolton will outplay their lost opponents and win rather cosily at The Reebok. Should they do so, it would end their two match losing streak at home in the league whilst almost guaranteeing them another year in the top flight as a direct result.

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

Recent Form: LLDDL

It’s another league outing for Portsmouth – Just three left to go as far as Portsmouth fans are concerned as they eagerly await the close of what has been a nightmare season. The light at the end of the tunnel is of course their FA Cup final date in May, but the objective between now and then will be to end the season on a high and build up some positive momentum ahead of their final showdown. On Saturday, away at Bolton Wanderers, they’ll aim to better their defeat at the weekend by frustrating a team who need a win to confirm their top flight status for another season. Can Portsmouth ironically play Devils advocate?

Predicting who will start has now become a fun little addition to the Portsmouth horror show. It will be mentioned every week from us in order to drum it into everyone’s heads that no longer will Avram Grant field his strongest eleven as complicated contracts give the Israel born manager limited options. The fact he’s been able to field a starting eleven in Portsmouth’s last two league fixtures is a small achievement in itself as the bench has only been half-full since their Semi-Final win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. However, even the bench has been occupied by some of the clubs youngsters, with Portsmouth’s dire situation made even more apparent despite it being obvious for a long time.

Pompey were valiant in their efforts last weekend though as they nearly halted Aston Villa’s push for European football. Few gave them a chance against Villa last Sunday, including us, yet they took the lead after just 10 minutes through midfielder Brown. However, from then on it was mainly attack versus defence, or should we say Villa versus David James. The England number 1 hopeful put in a world-class performance between the Portsmouth sticks as England manaer Fabio Capello looked on. No doubt James will have impressed the Italian man, and that could be something to bare in mind for the rest of the season as some players in the Portsmouth squad are still aiming to put their names into the hat for their respective International squads. James, Utaka and Dindane to name but a few.

We expect Portsmouth to play with a lot of heart once again on Saturday, but we don’t see them getting a lot from this fixture. They started brightly on Sunday against Aston Villa but faded badly. Were it not David James, Portsmouth would have conceded a good six or seven. They are weak all over the pitch, but they’re especially lightweight in the middle of the park. An area of the pitch were games are so often won and lost, and in Portsmouth’s instance, they will be lost. Chances have and will be few and far, while their forwards will rely heavily upon some quick breakaways as no longer does Avram Grant have the quality in midfield to carve open defences, not that he had a whole lot before the whole contract saga kicked in. They will battle on at The Reebok but it will be in vein.

Match Verdict: Bolton Wanderers to WIN – 1.60 Bet365

This should be routine for Bolton as they look to book their 2010/2011 Premiership ticket with a win over bottom of the league Portsmouth. Portsmouth will get overrun in midfield and, in turn, will concede plenty of possession and chances. Providing Bolton take the opportunities when they arrive, and there should be an ample amount, Bolton will win comfortably. That’s all we have to say on the matter really as we can’t find a case for Portsmouth considering their dire and farcical situation at present.

Match Odds

Bolton Wanderers – 1.60 Bet365

Draw – 4.00 SkyBet

Portsmouth – 7.00 VCbet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Bolton/Bolton (HT/FT Betting) – 2.50 Boylesports

Portsmouth V Aston Villa

Sunday, 18^th April – 16:00 (GMT)

TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1

Portsmouth

League Position: 20^th (Relegated)

Recent Form: WLLDD

The Portsmouth express just keeps rolling on, even in the league, with Portsmouth’s stunning exploits in the FA Cup on Sunday backed up by a hard fought 0-0 draw at The DW stadium against Wigan Athletic. They were fortunate to get the point mind as Avram Grant rolled out the changes, while fans will have been scared to see the Pompey bench half full as well. With the concern of the Portsmouth board and administrator firmly fixated on that dream tie with Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, a few more unfamiliar faces could line up this weekend as the league now becomes obsolete.

Before Portsmouth even kicked a ball in Sunday’s semi-final with Tottenham Hotspur, every Portsmouth fans knew their club was sent packing from the Premiership and down into the despair of the Championship. The players will have also been aware of this fact, so to pull a victory out of the bag was some achievement, arguably the clubs biggest win in its recent history considering the circumstances, which is ironic in many respects. However, it was a gruelling 120 encounter on a pitch which was far from satisfactory nor level, and it remains to be seen just how much that win, and the draw with Wigan, took out of the players. After all Portsmouth’s squad is now wafer thin.

Complicated contract clauses and add-on bonuses mean a whole host of players are no longer available for selection. It got so bad to the point where even their own fans can hardly recognise their starting eleven any more, while fans may as well fill the bench after Avram Grant only selected four substitutes for Wednesday’s game with Wigan Athletic. So, with all this in mind it’s hard to believe they weren’t thumped five or six now in midweek. Wigan had their chances to make it a cricket scoreline, and were Wigan any one half decent it would have been just that. Wigan had 18 attempts on goal during the course of the game in comparison to Portsmouth’s six. If that’s a sign of things to come then fans could be forced to take pillows to games in a bid to cover their eyes as a decent team would of smashed Portsmouth into next week.

The question isn’t now whether Portsmouth can make it back-to-back games without losing but as to who will actually start. Literally any one could make their way onto the pitch sporting a Portsmouth shirt such is the calamity of the situation they’re in. And with that, how can anyone in their right mind back Portsmouth? They don’t have a squad, their starting eleven would struggle in the lower tiers of English football while their next opponents are a team with genuine class. They’ll be facing a few maulings if they’re not careful, although it looks unavoidable.

Aston Villa

League Position: 7th

Recent Form: DDLWD

A prominent campaign has quickly turned sour, and within the space of five days, Villa’s season has gone completely array. Martin O’Neill has guided Aston Villa to two major Wembley appearances this season, the first being the Carling Cup back in February and the second being their semi-final in the FA Cup. As you might already know, Villa lost both. While to rub salt in the wounds, they now look well an truly out of the running for fourth after a team directly below them frustrated them into a 2-2 draw at Villa Park on Wednesday night.

In fairness, Villa did remarkably well just to earn a point after what was a miserable weekend for them. On Saturday seen Villa make their second appearance to Wembley this season. However, Villa fans had to endure yet another Wembley heartache as their team lost 3-0 to Chelsea, although it could of so easily of been a different story had they had some rub of the green. On Wednesday, however, Villa displayed little in terms of an FA Cup hangover as they showed plenty of promise in the first half despite going a goal behind through Tim Cahill. The second half was a different story though as their creativity and forward impotence died beneath their boots. Everton’s defending was so resolute that Villa never looked like many any sort of breakthrough, yet some tenacious play and they clawed their way back into the game on two occasions.

While credit is due for Villa’s persistence in clawing two goals back from behind, there will have been more cause for concern than positive feedback. The second half especially would have sent alarm bells ringing round O’Neill’s head as Villa lacked any sort of cutting edge, deprived of creativity and forward ingenuity. They were out on their last legs as O’Neill had to use all his subs late on in a desperate bid not to go home empty handed. It did work, although it fortunate circumstances as Jagielka headed into his own net in injury time. The point does at least gain them some ground, while it keeps Everton at arms length, but it’s another two points dropped as Villa’s season begins to dwindle out into another fruitless campaign.

Villa appeared a team in desperate need of a rest. Some time to recuperate after what has been a long, gruelling campaign full of ups and downs. Saturday was arguably their lowest point of the season losing to Chelsea in the semi-final of the FA Cup, but to their credit they responded magnificently, at least for the first 45 minutes. They weren’t at their cutting edge best though, although they may find some solace in their visit to a club which has already had the Premiership axe bow down on them. On reflection, Villa will have been happy with their point on Wednesday. The same won’t be said on Sunday night should Aston Villa drop more points in their quest to make Europe.

Match Prediction: Aston Villa to WIN – 1.67 Bet365

Despite looking drained and exhausted in the closing stages in their fixture with Everton during the week, Villa should still find enough gas to overcome Portsmouth down on the South Coast. Pompey will be without a number of players which would definitely start were they not strangled with contract clauses, while Avram Grant doesn’t even have enough players at the club to fill the bench. Granted also fielded several youngsters for Portsmouth’s game with Wigan in midweek. That speaks volumes and send out a clear message that the club just aren’t interested in leaving the Premiership on a high, or a bang. All they care about is getting their key players through the rest of the campaign unharmed ready for the FA Cup final. Villa on the other hand still have everything to play for and should be far too strong for a depleted Portsmouth team. Wigan wasted chance after chances on Wednesday night, we don’t expect the likes of Agbonlahor, Carew and Milner to be as wasteful at Fratton Park. This looks a stonewall away win if you ask me.

Match Odds

Portsmouth – 6.00 BetFred

Draw – 3.75 Boylesports

Aston Villa – 1.67 Bet365

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Aston Villa to score 3 or More Goals – 3.60 PaddyPower

Wigan Athletic V Portsmouth

Wednesday, 14^th April – 19:45 (GMT)

Wigan Athletic

League Position: 17th

Recent Form: LLWLL

A couple of bad results and Wigan are slap bang in the middle of a relegation scrap again. While Wigan weren’t in action over the weekend, they have lost two on the spin following defeats against Manchester City (3-0) and Fulham (2-1). This has enabled the sides below them to drag Wigan towards them and the Latics now find themselves just four points above the dreaded drop zone. They do fortunately have a game in hand, this home banker with Portsmouth, and three points over already relegated Portsmouth would ease their relegation concerns significantly whilst putting some clean air between them and the relegation zone itself.

Wigan could go seven points clear with a win on Wednesday. It’s a game they should win on paper, but it’s one they must win if they’re to fend off the drop. It’s their easiest fixture left by some distance so to drop points in it could be disastrous. It could also be a decent opportunity for Wigan to bolster what is a poor goal difference of -36 with a few goals over cash-strapped Portsmouth. Roberto Martinez’s men have only scored 30 goals all season, second lowest to Portsmouth, and won’t get a better chance to bang in a few than a home fixture with Pompey.

It really is hard to look beyond a home win despite how disappointing Wigan have been this season. Their home form is far from satisfactory; 5-5-6, although it’s a lot better than their away record, while they’ve only won twice at home in 2010. However, those two wins have come recently with Wigan winning two of their last three home games in the Premier League, both of which were to NIL. They beat Liverpool 1-0 at the beginning of March in a result which certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons at both ends of the table, while their very last home encounter was that against a team also stricken with relegation in Burnley, with the Latics winning both 1-0. They were two significant wins mind as without them Wigan would be in the relegation zone right now.

Roberto Martinez will surely know the importance of all three points on Wednesday. His players are facing a team which not only seen their Premiership fate settled at the weekend but one that was also involved in a gruelling 120 minute encounter at Wembley on a rugged and shockingly out of condition pitch. Moreover, no-one really knows who will play for Portsmouth between now and the end of the season, whereas Wigan will know roughly whose going to be playing, which formation they’ll be in and will of had a good week more than Wigan to prepare their game plan specifically for this game. For once, all the arrows are pointing in Wigan’s favour. Let’s hope we aren’t mislead.

Wigan Fact: Wigan post the second worst home offensive record in the Premier League after scoring just 14 goals from 16 games. Only Wolves have scored less at home this season.

Wigan Home Record: 5-5-6

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

Recent Form: LWLLD

Portsmouth were in celebratory mood over the weekend, and it wasn’t because West Ham’s win over Sunderland meant the South coast club were relegated from the Premiership. No, it was of course their stunning efforts in the FA Cup which seen the club book it’s place in it’s second FA Cup final in three years. They had to defy the odds in doing so, while for some it was perhaps their very last game for Pompey due to financial restraints and clauses in their contracts. What it does mean is between now and the end of the season some players are no longer available for Avram Grant to select, although we, as well as the rest of England, have been left in the dark as to which players are now out of bounds for Grant.

As we mentioned above, Portsmouth were relegated from the Premiership after West Ham’s 1-0 win at home to Sunderland on Saturday meaning Portsmouth are destined to spend at least one season in the Championship. There are still five league games left to play though, which just about sums up how bad a year they’ve had to not even take their Premier League destiny down to the last few games. Their well speculated financial issues have turned the club into a worldwide laughing stock but at least they have an FA Cup final in May to saviour in what has been an unsavoury season for Pompey fans.

We think it’s safe to say that betting against Portsmouth in every league game between now and the end of the season is the best approach to their games and shouldn’t steer you too far wrong. It’s been evident for quite some time now that Portsmouth were only interested in that glamour FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham Hotspur and Sunday, and that they were resigned tor relegation several weeks ago. Their Premier League commitments were merely getting in the way of their preparations, a distraction if you like, and the same will definitely apply now that they’ve made the final. This will especially be the case considering a number of players will no longer be available to Avram Grant due to complicated contracts and add-on bonuses etc.

Basically, stay well away from Portsmouth. While some will say the pressure shackles are now off the players with relegation now confirmed, the FA Cup final in May will be the only thing running through the players mind and will deem their league games as unnecessary now. While they did draw their previous league encounter 0-0 with Blackburn, it was Blackburn who had the better of the chances and it was them who should have clinched all three points., Portsmouth rarely looked interested in that game while they were comfortably beaten in their two outings beforehand, losing to Chelsea (5-0) and Tottenham (2-0) without scoring. Like we said, Portsmouth have lost all interest with the league and teams will be lucky to have a fixture with them left.

Portsmouth Fact: Pompey have failed to score in 14 of their 33 league games this season (42%), while they’ve not scored a league goal in 300 minutes. Portsmouth have also scored just eight times away from home; the lowest in the league.

Portsmouth Away Record: 2-2-12

Match Prediction: Wigan Athletic to WIN – 1.62 Boylesports

If the final result is anything other than a home win then Roberto Martinez needs the boot. I couldn’t care if it’s too late in the season, or whether it’s a pivotal period of the season to sack a manager, he needs to go. If you can’t get your players ready for a home fixture against Portsmouth then you aren’t good enough for this season – Simple as! This shouldn’t just be a banker three point game for Wigan but a game they should win well, comprehensively in fact. They have had a good week to rest up and learn Martinez’s game plan and tactics, while they will definitely have the edge in the fitness department after Portsmouth’s FA Cup excursions on Sunday evening. Wigan’s price may not seem appropriate for a side which rarely wins nowadays in the Premier League, but this really should be routine for Wigan Athletic.

Match Odds

Wigan Athletic – 1.62 Boylesports

Draw – 4.00 SkyBet

Portsmouth – 6.50 Bodog

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Wigan Athletic –1 Goal (Asian Handicap) – 2.05 Bet365

Tottenham Hotspur V Portsmouth

Sunday, 11^th April – 16:00

Venue: Wembley (London)

TV Coverage: ITV1

Tottenham Hotspur

Outright Odds: 2/1 WilliamHill

Tottenham fans are already dreaming of the final after their team was fortunate enough to land Portsmouth in the semi-finals. Nearly two decades have passed since Tottenham were last in an FA Cup final, way back in 1991. However, despite lacking any FA Cup involvement in a dry 20 year spell, Tottenham remain as one of the FA Cup’s most successful teams with 8 wins and 1 runners-up – More than both Liverpool & Chelsea. But with Tottenham becoming more consistent in the cups in recent seasons, are Spurs about to return to the glory days of old? Well, all that stands in their way of a tenth final is that of Portsmouth, a team they’ve already beaten twice this season, so surely they’ll fancy their chances of ending their baron run of nearly two years without an FA Cup final.

You know your lucks in when you draw Portsmouth, the weakest team left in the hat by quite some distance, in the semi-finals instead of either Aston Villa or Chelsea. Tottenham definitely got the rub of the green in regards to the draw but simply have to make that count on Sunday by avoiding any such upset, one which would rate right up their with the biggest in the cup’s long history considering Portsmouth’s speedy plight from the stars. What they are facing, though, is a team who won the competition just two years ago, with the current Spurs boss Harry Redknapp at the helm of Portsmouth that day. Some neutrals will says this tie was handmade by the footballing Gods so that Pompey could exact some revenge on a man which left them to sink, while we prefer to look at it as Tottenham boasting a manager with top notch FA Cup credentials. He knows exactly what it takes to land the FA Cup, only this time he has a far better squad to achieve it with.

Semi-final’s can often turn out to be tetchy affairs between two sides who won’t want to give their final place away but at the same time won’t take many risks in a bid to get there. That shouldn’t be the case with Tottenham’s involvement though as Spurs just don’t do dull football. Redknapp, who did inherit a gifted group of players it must be said, has got Tottenham playing some stunning football this season, with some of the speed they play at nowadays breathtaking. Spurs now have everything going for them; a Chairman willing to invest, a squad brimming with genuine Premiership quality in just about every department and a manger who the fans believe will take them to bigger and better things in years to come. Tottenham are well equipped, perhaps better than ever before, to be challenging for honours on a more consistent basis, and so, now there is no excuse for failure. This is especially the case for Sunday as Tottenham should comfortably see off their Southern opponents, Portsmouth.

A 3-1 defeat at Sunderland has spoilt Tottenham’s preparations ahead of this semi-final showdown with Portsmouth, but before that Tottenham had won five on the bounce, while just a fortnight ago they were beating Portsmouth 2-0 in the league so Spurs recently know what it takes to beat their semi-final opponents. It’s quite obvious that Tottenham are superior in most departments, especially in terms of their squad strength, but what Portsmouth lack in genuine player quality, they make up for in spirit and it was this characteristic which seen them battle their way past Birmingham City in the last round, against the odds it has to be said. The vulnerability surrounding Tottenham is that perhaps the players will feel a final is all but theirs, that it’s owed to them, and well, if they take that approach then they could be in for a nasty surprise. It’s certainly there for them however, they only need to apply themselves in a professional manner to size it.

Portsmouth

Outright Odds: 18/1 SportingBet

Whereas Tottenham fans are dreaming of their first FA Cup final since 1991, Pompey fans are reliving their sensational season of 2008 when they lifted the prestigious trophy aloft in a 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion in the 2007-2008 final. It was of course when Harry Redknapp was in charge, at a time when fans adored the dopey looking Englishman, but now Portsmouth fans join together in a cult like fashion to show their hatred towards the man they believe is a traitor, and will be hoping the players back them up on Sunday by sending his new club, Tottenham, packing. That does look an unlikely scenario, though, considering Portsmouth’s dire situation at present; severely in debt, a squad depleted through injury and a team lacking in any sort of confidence boosting form.

To say Portsmouth need to defy adversity to make the final would be an understatement of the highest proportion considering what the club has been through since the beginning of the season in what can only be described as a turbulent season for everyone involved with the club. Despite selling a whole host of players within the space of about a year, some of which went for huge sums, Portsmouth are a club with mounting debts and have had to sell the majority of their remaining half decent players and replace them cheaper alternatives, players which, without trying to be too disrespectful, would probably struggle to make a Championship side let alone a Premiership outfit. However, where as some teams would curl into a ball and raise the white flag for all to see, Portsmouth have come out fighting and have earned many a plaudit for their valiant actions. This perhaps hasn’t been the case in the Premier League (20^th and a game or two away from relegation) but it has been evident in this competition, the FA Cup, having to put in some gutsy displays just to get this far.

Portsmouth may not have beaten some of England’s finest to get here, but they have had to fight tooth and nail for each progression and have often been forced to play an extra game just to show their FA Cup worth. This fortunately wasn’t the case in the last round as they despatched of Birmingham City at Fratton Park 2-0. The fans were brilliant that day as they got right behind their team despite all their well publicised off-pitch issues. However, while their fans will try to make for an incredible atmosphere on Sunday, quite whether that support will be enough to bridge the big gulf in class between the two sides remains to be seen. Portsmouth have lost twice to Tottenham already this season, while only two weeks ago they lost 2-0 at White Hart Lane, so the task does look ominous. Perhaps even more so when you consider that Portsmouth’s only wins in 2010, outside of the FA Cup, are against two teams sharing the relegation zone with them in Hull City and Burnley.

There’s only two factors which make Fulham an appealing bet; the first being their underdog status, mainly because they don’t have anything considered to be ‘World-Class’ in their squad, while the second is the rousing support they’ll get from their travelling fans on Sunday at what should be a euphoric Wembley. However, if you want to be realistic, we don’t see Portsmouth bridging the gap and causing what would be one of the competitions biggest shock in it’s history, and there has been several worthy contenders for that honour already this season. They haven’t even looked like winning a game against a classy opponent in 2010 and have instead rolled over in most fixtures. Of course, the FA Cup has been their priority ever since they went into administration, but the players would need to lift their game several levels in order to even get on par with the Tottenham players. We will certainly be cheering Portsmouth on this Sunday, although we aren’t optimistic about their chances.

How they got here:

Third Round: Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Peterborough United

Fourth Round: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Leeds United

Fourth Round Replay: Leeds United 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Fifth Round: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Fifth Round Replay: Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Bolton Wanderers

Quarter-Final: Fulham 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Quarter-Final Replay: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Fulham

Third Round: Portsmouth 1-1 Coventry City

Third Round Replay: Coventry City 1-2 Portsmouth (AET)

Fourth Round: Portsmouth 2-1 Sunderland

Fifth Round: Southampton 1-4 Portsmouth

Quarter-Final: Portsmouth 2-0 Birmingham City

Injuries & Suspensions

Tottenham Hotspur: Carlo Cudicni, Johnathan Woodgate, Aaron Lennon (Tottenham have a long list of possible doubts; Vedran Corluka, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas)

Portsmouth: Hermann Hreidarsson, Tel Ben-Haim, Danny Webber, Hassan Yebda (Nadir Belhadj, Papa Diop and Kevin-Prince Boateng are all doubts)

Match Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur to WIN – 1.33 bWin

We would love to see a shock, mainly because we’re a big follower of whoever is the underdog, but from a betting perspective, Tottenham look the only likely winner in this contest.

Lets face it, it’s a Premiership club, one vying for a top four finish, against what is in theory a Championship club in Portsmouth. In fact, Portsmouth, even with their current crop of players now, would struggle to win games in the league below whereas Tottenham have been beating Premiership opposition all season. Spurs are generally very consistent, especially this season and especially in the cups. They have tended to start sluggishly though in some of their earlier rounds, going behind against Bolton Wanderers and Fulham before eventually going through, and that will be cause for optimism around the Portsmouth as should they somehow sneak into an early lead, with a battling performance at the back, Portsmouth could land a shock semi-final victory. It’s a big ask but at least it’s something the travelling Portsmouth fans can cling onto.

Our prediction though is a Tottenham Hotspur win. There is just too much class within the Tottenham squad to oppose them against what is a mediocre Portsmouth team, made even more so by injuries to key players. Spurs have pace down the flanks to expose Pompey’s full-backs, the composure and creative sparks in midfield to open up the Portsmouth defence and four strikes, of which any could start on Sunday and all would scare the living daylights out of the Portsmouth defence. Whether it’s the pace of Defoe or the aerial prowess of Peter Crouch, Tottenham just seem to have far too much fire-power for a blunt Portsmouth. It should be easy peezy!

Match Odds:

Tottenham Hotspur – 1.33 bWin

Draw – 5.00 BetFred

Portsmouth – 11.00 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Tottenham Hotspur to Score in Both Halves – 1.91 PaddyPower

Portsmouth V Blackburn Rovers

Saturday, 3^rd April – 15:00 GMT

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

Recent Form: LLWLL

Since having a nine point penalty enforced upon them, Portsmouth have suffered back-to-back defeats in the league and their minuscule hopes of somehow pulling of the escape of all escapes has now all but passed them by. The main aim now will be that exciting FA Cup semi-final encounter with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley but before then Avram Grant needs to install some confidence into his ranks and that will only happen with a few victories. We don’t see them doing so at all away from home so every home fixture from now on will be considered a blessing, while one against a Blackburn side who’ve won just twice away from home all season might be the answer to their prays at Fratton Park. 

Pompey suffered their yet another set of back-to-back league defeats on Saturday as they were comfortably brushed aside by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. It was a contest that no-one fancied Portsmouth to get anything from and they backed up those expectations with an abject display. In fairness, the injury list is full to the brim with players Avram Grant would class as ‘key’ so it’s no major surprise to see the club struggling to attain results. Even so, at a time when the fans need some inspiration and belief ahead of their FA Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur later this month, Pompey just aren’t fulfilling everyone’s high demands.

Getting some sort of a result at home to Blackburn would go some way to building up the euphoria around Fratton Park but that just doesn’t look likely with all their injury woes, with the squad wafer thin as it is. Grant is missing key and influential players in just about every area of the pitch ranging from the absence of David James in goal to John Utaka up front, while there are a good three or four midfielders currently on the treatment table. When you think matters just can’t get any worse they generally do and that’s certainly the case for poor old Avram Grant, whom is rapidly becoming a fan favourite down at Fratton Park after his valiant yet in vein efforts to salvage a club on the cliff tops of Premiership death.

Form wise, Portsmouth won’t fill any of you punters with any great deal of confidence, although it will sound like music to the hears of Blackburn fans. Since the start of the year, with four months now drifted by, Portsmouth have won just two league games, although they’ve pulled off some stunning results in the cup in between. However, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Pompey players only have eyes for one thing and that’s their semi-final showdown with Tottenham Hotspur. They know they’re going down and so the rest of their league encounters will seem meaningless to them. This fact has shown of late with Portsmouth not scoring in 180 minutes of play, not since they were deducted nine points for going into administration and basically killed off.

Blackburn Rovers

League Position: 10th

Recent Form: LLDWW

This Blackburn team should be brimming with confidence after winning back-to-back league games for the fourth time this season after a set of victories over Birmingham City and Burnley within the space of just four days. Moreover, their latter win, that being their 1-0 win at local neighbours Burnley, ended their away drought of nine away games without a league win. So can they go one further and make it three wins in a row, what would be their first set of back-to-back away league wins all season.

It’s fair to say that Blackburn won’t have many easier opportunities to register their second away win in quick succession than against a Portsmouth side who’ve already said their goodbyes to the Premier League. Their opponents have shown very little in terms of hunger and drive of late to indicate that they would even be the slightest bit bothered should they lost yet another league fixture, whereas Blackburn have displayed bags of fight and ragged determination in their recent league outings. Two qualities Sam Allardyce has quite obviously installed into his players and they’re slowly but surely beginning to reap the rewards for his dogged managerial attitude.

Rovers are also enjoying a decent little run of form right now after their 1-0 win at Burnley, a result which in itself will significantly boost the morale of the Blackburn camp as that was their second derby victory over the Clarets this season. ‘Big Sam’ has recently guided his team of relentless workers to a three match run without defeat following back-to-back wins over Birmingham City (2-1) and then Burnley (0-1), while before those two impressive victories came a point just as magnificent as the two wins combined; a 1-1 draw at home to league chasing Chelsea. All three have clearly given the Blackburn squad a big lift while should they avoid defeat on Saturday, it will have been their longest run in the league without losing a game, four matches.

Blackburn haven’t exactly been pretty on the eye of late but they’ve been damn well effective. Their 1-0 win at Turf Moor did come under fortuitous circumstances as Steven Reid clearly dived inside the Burnley box to win Blackburn a penalty. A penalty David Dunn calmly converted with glee. To be fair though, they were deserving of all three points as they were the better team. They were far more adventurous in their attacking play and were more assuring when in possession. Another display like that on Saturday and Blackburn will be hard to stop let alone beat.

Match Verdict: Blackburn Rovers to WIN – 2.30 Bet365

Sam Allardyce explained before last weeks win at Burnley that he has every intention of playing his strongest team right until the very last day of the season. His reason, money for the kitty. For every position higher in the table he finishes, the more he will receive in transfer funds and for a Dell Boy such as Allardyce, that’s the biggest incentive you could give the Englishman. Big Sam’s desire to win the remainder of his games is having a knock on affect with his players as their playing in a courageous manner right now, pouring their hearts and souls into every clash. Portsmouth, however, have looked heartless in their recent encounter, and with the FA Cup semi-final just over the horizon, they’ll just want to get these league games out of the way and get on with the inevitable relegation procedure.

Match Odds:

Portsmouth – 3.20 Boylesports

Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

Blackburn Rovers – 2.30 Bet365

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Blackburn Rovers to win to NIL – 4.00 PaddyPower

Tottenham Hotspur V Portsmouth

Saturday, 27^th March – 15:00 GMT

Tottenham Hotspur

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: LWWWW

A Tottenham side with bags of form try their luck against a deflated Portsmouth this Saturday, with the aim being to cement their foothold in fourth place. Harry Redknapp has already told of his excitement at meeting some old Pompey faces this weekend but all those nostalgic memories must go out the window as Spurs aim to make the 42 point difference between the two teams in the league table tell with a resounding and expected win at White Hart Lane.

While Portsmouth have shown plenty of spirit and endeavour of late, this fixture really should go the way of the home team. Spurs not only have the better players but their form is tremendous especially after sailing through to the Semi-Finals of the FA Cup on Wednesday night, with Harry Redknapp sniffing out yet more cup glory with a Tottenham side purposely built for cup success. However, he and all the Tottenham fans will be hoping their side are involved in the greatest cup competition of them all next season, The Champions League, and with that in mind, a fixture like this simply has to be converted into three valuable points if Spurs are to finish as the best of the rest.

There is a small problem arising for Harry and that’s been in Tottenham’s lacklustre starts to games. For one reason or another, Tottenham just do not start games particularly well and this was certainly the case in midweek as Fulham controlled the majority of the play in the first period and took a narrow lead into the break with them. Fortunately for Spurs fans, Tottenham bucked up in the second half and blasted their way through the Fulham defence to score three in the second half, and while they might get away with a sluggish start once again this Saturday, they won’t in future against those with genuine attacking flair and quality. Let’s not forget that Spurs have games with Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal before the season is out so some big improvements are still needed by Tottenham Hotspur before we can really get excited about their top four prospects. 

Tottenham’s form at home though should carry them through to the end of the season without too many hiccups. After fifthteen games at White Hart Lane in the Premiership, Spurs have only lost three times. However, while that may sound good, which it is in fairness, two of the three were against teams Tottenham would have expected to beat with their eyes closed in Stoke City and Wolves. It’s those defeats which keep Spurs backers on their toes as Tottenham have proven on several occasions this season that they can go to sleep in the so called ‘Banker’ encounters, but can Redknapp avoid any such thing on Saturday against a Pompey side which should get dispatched with consummate ease.

Interesting Fact: Roman Pavlyuchenko has scored in his previous two starts at White Hart Lane in the league.

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

Recent Form: WLLWL

Those doom clouds thickened over Fratton Park in midweek when Chelsea paid the town a visit and left their with an evil grin. After earlier hearing that a nine point penalty for entering into administration would be enforced on the club, to then lose in such a resounding fashion must have been a right kick in the teeth for the Portsmouth camp, while news that Portsmouth have permission to begin offloading players even before the summer transfer window opens will now have players doubting whether they’ll even last until the end of the season.

It’s just one distraction after another with Portsmouth and it’s a credit to the players that they’ve battled on stoutly regardless. However, you would have to think their 5-0 mauling at the hands of Chelsea last Wednesday just might be the last straw for the Portsmouth players, and that the league is of no concern to them now and that this season all boils down to their Semi-Final encounter with Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. Ironically their opponents on Saturday. The early betting suggests not too many fancy Portsmouth’s chances in that Semi-Final clash but a solid performance at White Hart Lane might have punters thinking otherwise, while it would fill their owed fans with optimism ahead of what is a lifeline fixture that FA Cup tie should they sneak a result on Saturday. 

We can already see a problem with betting on Portsmouth this Saturday and that’s their lack of goals on the road. Against a Tottenham side who’ve come into their own on plenty of occasions at White Hart Lane this season, Portsmouth will need to score at least a couple just to make this competitive, and yet I’d be surprised if they even managed one. After 15 away adventures in the league, Pompey have only managed a measly 8 goals – The worst away goal return in the league. They’ve also failed to score in just over half of their away fixtures this season (7/15), although they have shown glimmers of improvements in some of their recent league outings by scoring in their last two away games, with one even coming at Liverpool.

Even if Portsmouth do put in another gutsy display this weekend, they don’t have the quality required to compete against a team like Spurs. For Portsmouth to take anything from this fixture they’ll need Spurs to slip up somewhere and we don’t see that happening. The bad news is Pompey face two tough league fixtures before their exciting day out at Wembley in the FA Cup yet the Portsmouth players might be too eager to race through their league priorities just to concentrate on Wembley, so in other words we’re not expecting anything special from Portsmouth this Saturday.

Match Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur to WIN – 1.25 SkyBet

We never like to write a team off but Portsmouth don’t have a cats in hells chance of winning this fixture, while even a point looks out of the question. The Tottenham camp will be buoyed by their success in the FA Cup on Wednesday and will look to seize all of that momentum and take it into their league games as they continue their pursuit for top four glory. They’re well on course to end the season in fourth but need to carry on cementing their position in a spot several others are vying for. This should be straight forward and routine like from Tottenham as Portsmouth look set to be rolled over for the second time in three days.

Match Odds:

Tottenham Hotspur – 1.25 SkyBet

Draw – 6.00 Coral

Portsmouth – 15.00 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Tottenham Hotspur to Score 4 or More Goals – 4.20 PaddyPower