Pompey travel up to Stoke on Saturday to face the Midlands side who only having been promoted this season, are looking likely to go back down to the Championship.
Pompey and Stoke have little history - mostly to do with Stoke's old firm the "Norty Forty" being established at a meeting between the two teams at Fratton Park, but the point that we must notice about Stoke is this connections with the good and bad sides of the South coast.
Tony Pulis - ex-Pompey manager
Andy Griffin - ex-Pompey player
Amdy Faye - ex-Pompey player
Salif Diao - ex-Pompey player
Vincent Pericard - ex-Pompey player
Ricardo Fuller - ex-Pompey and Scummer player
Danny Higginbotham - Scummer
Rory Delap - Scummer
Henri Camara - Scummer
James Beattie - Scummer
9 ex-South coast players and a former manager is quite a lot, and I thought we had a few Liverpool ones!
Pompey fans are looking for a second win on the trot under caretaker manager Paul Hart with his new found partnership alongside Brian Kidd. The two were praised by the fans at Fratton Park last Saturday after a 2-0 win against Manchester City, and another win would surely see Hart/Kidd become a full-time partnership until the end of the season.
Stoke have not made it easy for travellers to Britannia Stadium, having gotten points out of Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Spuds, Villa, Hull, West Brom and Sunderland. Leading to many Stoke fans claiming the Brit to be 'a fortress' something which we all know about from Fortress Fratton, that has been stormed way too many times this season.
Tony Pulis will not make it easy for the Blues, but being described as a 'six-pointer' on Saturday will surely make it a tough game for both sides.
Stoke have seen their trademark throws by Delap result in goals many a time this season, although the height and quality in the Pompey defence are likely to be on top of things to make sure Pompey keep another clean sheet. With Delap and Fuller out, the throws may not be a problem for the Blues.
Pompey beat Stoke 2-1 earlier on in the season during the fixture at Fratton Park, with Crouch getting that memorable bicycle kick goal.
Pompey Pages Prediction: Another 2-1 to Pompey, although Stoke are strong at home, I believe we have enough quality, determination and strength to overcome the Potters and head back with all three points.
Player to watch: James Beattie - we all despise the player for his past and Scummer connections, but it can't be ignored of his quality and goalscoring ability, and because of the stick he is likely to get on Saturday, I can sadly see him netting for Stoke - it's fate.
Key Pompey player: Jermaine Pennant - Pennant has got the pace and flair to attack the Stoke defence from the wing and give some good delivery in to Crouch and Nugent, and I think his abilities will make a big difference against Stoke.
Likely Portsmouth XI: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Pennant, Davis, Basinas, Kranjcar, Nugent, Crouch
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