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Portsmouth are eyeing three points that will take them into top four, as they take on West Ham United at Fratton Park on Saturday. Portsmouth have started the season well, whilst West Ham sit comfortably in 10th.
Both teams bring an element of form to this game. Portsmouth have won their last four games, whilst West Ham won their Premiership game last week against Sunderland.
Harry Redknapp will be looking forward to playing his club, and holds a good record against the side for Portsmouth with three wins and one draw.
Redknapp comments
Redknapp said: "It will be tough against West Ham. Alan Curbishley has had a few injuries lately but it is a fantastic squad when they are all fit.
"We have got a great record against them in the Premier. They have never beaten us in four games, drawing only one - but I didn't really want to mention it.
"All we are looking for and all I'm looking for is another three points. Whether it is against West Ham or not doesn't matter, although I still have great affection for the club I managed over seven years."
Kanu and David Nugent are out with injuries, Kanu has a knee problem whilst Nugent is out with a knee injury. Midfielder Sean Davis is out due to suspension.
Pedro Mendes and Richard Hughes are ready to return for action for Pompey.
Scott Parker, Freddie Ljungberg, Dean Ashton, Bobby Zamora, Kieron Dyer, Julien Faubert, James Collins and Calum Davenport are all among the long injury list at West Ham.
Utaka: Genius
It looks as if the impressive Utaka will continue to retain his place in Portsmouth's first team as Redknapp said this weekend: John is not a steady player. He is not going to give a seven-out-of-10 performance every week.
"But he has that little bit of genius - and speed - that can turn a game and I am sticking with him.
"I want to play attacking football and John and Niko Kranjcar, who has been playing on the other flank, are forwards.
"If you wanted wide players who track back and defend, they would be the last players you would pick.
"But they both have great ability on the ball to be match-winners and that's why they are in. Otherwise, I would pick two others who are solid and who would tuck in and make you more secure.
"But I think what we are doing is what the fans want to see."
Squads
Portsmouth (from): James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Pedro Mendes, Muntari, Diop, Kranjcar, Utaka, Benjani, Taylor, Pamarot, Lauren, Mvuemba, Nugent, Ashdown.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Bowyer, Mullins, Noble, Etherington, Boa Morte, Camara, Cole, Wright, Collins, Bellamy, Quashie, Solano, Spector, Pantsil, Reid.
Eyefootball Premiership Predictor
Portsmouth 3-1 West Ham
This will be a game which will be largely controlled by the attacking threats of Portsmouth. Utaka, Kanu and Benjani have been awesome this year, and the missing Kanu can and will be replaced. West Ham's enormous injury list is still catching up with them; and sadly for them, they don't have much of a hope grabbing some points in this game.
Prediction: 3-1 to Portsmouth
Goalscorer: Benjani
Written by majicka
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