Pompey v Pies

Back to Fratton on Saturday, the venue for a fantastic result last week against the league leaders, but also the prequel for a disaster at Watford.

Easter couldn't have been more contrasting for Pompey last week, two matches against the top and bottom, and somehow we managed to get the results mixed up!
Newcastle arrive in town in similar indifferent form, all season they have played well in flurries and then drifted off the boil again, for a team with aspiritions as high as the geordies expect, this is not really good enough and Europe looks like it might have to wait this year.

Campbell should make a welcome return to the defence along with Lauren, the ex-Arsenal duo should replace the lamentable Pamarot and Traore after their showings at Watford. Benjani should also be fit to reclaim his place from the mis-firing and ineffectual Lua Lua who will have to be content with a spot on the bench against his old team.

Although the defence stood firm against Man U, it most definitely creaked at Watford two days later and big Sol will be welcomed back.

The magpies are struggling a bit with injury, the likely absentees look like being Given, Dyer and Parker, all big players for Newcastle and this will hamper their quest for a win. Owen made a goalscoring return for the reserves but surely won't be risked this quickly.

Always a willing deputy, but not in Given's class.

In 7 Premiership matches, Pompey have yet to beat Newcastle, away we lose and at home we normally draw 1-1,this season we have already lost twice at St. james, 3-0 and 1-0

Chris Foy, Merseyside Horrendous penalty decision at White Hart Lane, but to be fair, he did hold his hands up to this one and is generally one of the better refs around.

History points to a draw, but Pompey owe a performance to the fans after last Monday's disapointment, the high of beat United was quickly extinguished by the capitulation at Watford, I'll go for a first win in the Premiership over the geordies in this one, I can even see Kanu finding the net again!

Villa away
Liverpool home

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