Preview: Pompey vs Man City

Premiership high flyers Portsmouth and Man City go head to head at Fratton Park, and Portsmouth's superb 4-1 win at St.James' Park last week showed their potential. Man City have been impressive all season, so much so that both teams have had their best ever Premiership starts.

Diop is banned after too many bookings, whilst Hreidarsson is ready to return at the back.

For Man City, on the other hand, Micah Richards should return at centre back, but are down to only 16 fit outfield men, with Johnson and Onuoha both definite absentees.

Sven: we'll miss Johnson

Eriksson said: "He is being operated on for groin problems. If we are lucky he will be back in three or four weeks but I am not so sure.

"It is a pity but we had to do something. He started the season well but for the last month and a half he has had problems every second day. It is better this way."

Teams

Portsmouth (from): James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Pamarot, Utaka, Davis, Muntari, Pedro Mendes, Kranjcar, Benjani, Kanu, Taylor, Nugent, Lauren, Hughes, Ashdown (gk).

Manchester City (from): Isaksson, Hart, Richards, Corluka, Onuoha, Sun, Dunne, Garrido, Logan, Ball, Ireland, Dabo, Hamann, Geovanni, Fernandes, Petrov, Elano, Samaras, Bianchi, Mpenza, Vassell.

Eyefootball Premiership Predictor

Portsmouth 2-1 Man City

In this form Portsmouth look dangerous and capable of scoring a lot of goals, and their performance last week against Newcastle was proof of that. Should Portsmouth get three points it will be interesting to see how long they can stay near the top of the table.

Predictor: 2-1 to Portsmouth

Goalscorer: Benjani