Newcastle travel down south today for a 5.15pm kick off at Fratton Park and manager Kevin Keegan will go head to head with the man who turned Newcastle down, Harry Redknapp. Newcastle have won 3 of their last 6 games and lost just 2, whilst Portsmouth go into the game with 5 wins in their last 6 games under their belt (including cup games).
The last time these two sides met Newcastle lost 4-1, a scoreline Keegan will be keen to avoid today as Portsmouth fight for 5th place. 3 points today could leave them 1 point away from Everton who are currently in 5th.
However Newcastle are yet to win at Fratton Park and haven't won a game on Portsmouth's home turf since 1991
Portsmouth
Newcastle
33
Played
33
56
Points
38
16
Won
10
8
Drawn
8
9
Lost
15
33
Goals Conceded
58
47
Goals Scored
40
Newcastle are without the usual Shay Given who is still recovering from surgery on his groin, James Milner who is still recovering from a foot injury, Claudio Cacapa who is suffering with a groin problem, Emre who triggered an ankle injury when playing for the reserves and Stephen Carr who is battling a persistent hamstring injury. All look set to return to action soon with the exception of Shay Given.
Keegan is likely to maintain his goal scoring trio upfront and Steven Taylor returns to the side after a bout of food poisoning which kept him out of last weekend's win against Reading. Charles N'Zogbia may also feature, despite making it very clear over the last week or so that he has no intention to remain at the club past the end of the season, instead favouring a move to London.
The side will go into the game looking to jump Tottenham Hotspur in the league, a win today will give Newcastle 41 points.
Spurs play Middlesbrough today who are currently on 35 points. For Newcastle, a draw would be great, as a win for either side would disadvantage Newcastle's chances of progression. A win for Middlesbrough will leave them with 38 points but with a better goal difference whilst a win for Spurs will leave Newcastle playing catch-up for another week. Sunderland are also hot on the heels of Newcastle with 36 points.
Portsmouth could go into the game without Lassana Diarra who has missed 3 out of the last 4 games with a thigh injury, John Utaka who is recovering from a hamstring injury and Milan Baros who has been out with an ankle problem. Kanu may also be sidelined as Harry is reluctant to overuse the 31 year old ahead of the FA Cup Final next month.
Pompey could welcome the return of Lauren and Richard Hughes as well as Jermaine Defoe who has had an excellent run at Portsmouth since moving from Tottenham in the transfer window. Defoe looks to be Newcastle's biggest threat as he is repeatedly hitting the back of the net for Portsmouth. He has missed the last two matches, first due to being cup tied and then a family bereavement and so will be raring to go.
yeah im not really bothered about money.. very unlikely it would turn out like that anyway. only popped into the bookies as its next door to where i get my stella.. damn this stream and damn this pc
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