12-12-2009 Sunderland vs Portsmouth

Sunderland Portsmouth is an interesting match up with Portsmouth looking much better under new boss Avram Grant and Sunderland hoping to maintain their impressive home form and steer away from lacklustre performances the fans have seen on the road.

It’s been an up and down campaign for Sunderland so far this year with high profile wins against the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal at The Stadium of light somewhat nullified by poor away performances against the Wigan and Birmingham. Steve Bruce will be hoping for a reaction to last weeks defeat at the hands of Fulham and will be looking for a forty five thousand strong crowd to get right behind their team, knowing that the true Sunderland team has only really shown up at home games this season. Sunderland have their injury difficulties with several defenders out, and it might fall to recent signing midfielder Bolo Zenden to shore up the left back berth. The second game of Kenwyne Jones’ return will be a boost for the Black Cats though, and many will be expecting top scorer Darren Bent to get back to his usual goal scoring ways.

Portsmough have endured a terrible start to their campaign and last weeks victory in the premierleague saw them climb off the foot of the table for the first time in weeks. Many will see that change as a direct result of the appointment of former manager Avram Grant, who is back at the helm. The experienced manager, who has coached national sides as well as Chelsea and Protsmouth in the past, saw an immediate response from his players, and he will no doubt be expecting them to give Sunderland a stern test this weekend. Problems off the field may still play a part in Portsmouth’s fortunes and it has emerged that players wages were only paid for November thanks to a last minute loan arranged by the club. Portsmouth fans will be hoping that the turmoil surrounding the club can finally be forgotten, and that their players can start to concentrate on the matter at hand – winning footbal games.

This is a tough one to call, but I have to go with Sunderland’s formidable home form this season which has seen them only lose one game – to leaders Chelsea.

Verdict: Home win Sunderland – 1