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Two of the Premier League's more troubled teams go
head-to-head in the first match of the weekend, with Liverpool
taking a trip down to last-placed Portsmouth.
The cash-strapped Hampshire side fell to Chelsea in midweek, but it
was a much improved performance as Avram Grant watched his old
charge Frank Lampard decide the contest with a second-half
penalty.
Yet Pompey remain firmly rooted to the foot of the table with just
11 points to their name, so they will be desperate to get something
when Rafael Benitez's Reds come to town.
The Anfield giants claimed a sorely needed win on Wednesday,
triumphing 2-1 over Wigan Athletic despite failing to take full
advantage of their many goal-scoring opportunities.
And yet Liverpool are still a long way from where they had hoped to
be by this point of the season. The fact that they are level on
points with Birmingham City sums up the situation in the Kopites'
eyes, although that rather exaggerates their sixth-place
standing.
Still, Champions League qualification is a must for the 18-time
English champions, and picking up a result against the cellar
dwellers is essential if they are to achieve that goal.
FORM GUIDE
Portsmouth
Dec 16: Chelsea 2-1 Portsmouth
Dec 12: Sunderland 1-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Dec 5: Portsmouth 2-0 Burnley (Premier League)
Dec 1: Portsmouth 2-4 Aston Villa (League Cup)
Nov 28: Portsmouth 1-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
Liverpool
Dec 16: Liverpool 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Dec 13: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
Dec 9: Liverpool 1-2 Fiorentina (Champions League)
Dec 5: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Liverpool
Nov 29: Everton 0-2 Liverpool
TEAM NEWS
Portsmouth
Younes Kaboul returns to the fold after missing the Chelsea clash
through suspension. Thus, injured goalkeeper David James aside,
gaffer Grant can indulge in that rarest of coaching delights: a
fully fit and available squad.
Last starting XI (vs. Chelsea): Begovic, Finnan, Ben Haim,
Wilson, Hreidarsson, Bouba Diop, Mullins, Boateng, O'Hara,
Piquionne, Mokoena.
Liverpool
Fernando Torres was benched for the win over Wigan, coming on late
to wrap up the points with a Kop-end finish. The striker should
start at Fratton Park, although young David Ngog continues to
impress when given the chance.
Neither Lucas Leiva nor Alberto Aquilani featured in the first XI
in midweek, but one would expect the former to reclaim his place in
central midfield.
Glen Johnson was left out altogether on Wednesday through injury
and remains a slight doubt, while Albert Riera is still battling
hamstring trouble.
Last starting XI (vs. Wigan Athletic): Reina, Carragher,
Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Mascherano, Gerrard, Aurelio, Kuyt,
Ngog.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool - Fernando Torres
The Spaniard got back on the scoresheet at long last with a
second-half strike against Wigan, and he would love to bag another
this weekend as he continues his return from injury.
Portsmouth - Kevin-Prince Boateng
He was a monumental flop at Tottenham Hotspur, but the German
enforcer has become a key man in the Pompey midfield. He likes to
get forward at every opportunity, so Mascherano et al will have to
keep an eye out.
PREDICTION
Portsmouth 0-2 Liverpool
