Manchester United will look upon this fixture as an almost guaranteed three points, while Pompey boss Avram Grant may be looking at damage limitation.
Alex Ferguson normally sees his team go from strength to strength at this time of year and this season seems no different. A fantastic away win against Arsenal last week puts United right in the slipstream of Chelsea after they were surprisingly held by Hull City in midweek, and they won’t expect Portsmouth to stand in their way. The injured list is diminishing for United with long term absentee Hargreaves, Ferdinand and O Shea the only players of note missing this week. Wayne Rooney continues to make headlines for all the right reasons with another goal against Arsenal and few would bet against him scoring – certainly not Ferguson, who has tipped the striker to reach the milestone of thirty league goals in a season this year.
Portsmouth’s season seems to go from bad to worse and the off field problems also show no signs of abating. Pompey’s players were again not paid for the month of January and the club apparently came perilously close to going into administration, saving themselves at the last minute with the sale of Younes Kaboul to Tottenham. Portsmouth have a mountain to climb if they are going to get anything out of the game against United. Injuries aren’t too much of a problem with Kanu the only confirmed absentee. However, Ward, Diop, Brown and Smith are all doubtful. Avran Grant will hope that the clubs league position – rooted to the bottom – will fuel his players desire. They will have to play with more hunger and desire than they have for the whole of this season to get anything out of this game.
Verdict: Manchester United home win
Odds: 1/8
Bookmaker: William Hill
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