Preview – Portsmouth ‘v’ Man City

Team News

Blues boss Mark Hughes faces a number of selection dilemmas as he prepares to name the side for this crucial game. Shaun Wright-Phillips is out of the match after the FA unbelievably decided to hand him a three-match ban for his kick-out at Rory Delap; a punishment equal to the one handed out to the perpitrator himself. In itself, this is possibly a just move, but it comes on the back of Chelsea defender José Bosingwa escaping scot-free following his disgraceful ‘tackle’ against Liverpool. Brazilian superstar Elano is expected to replace SWP on the right-wing, although Hughes also has the option of changing his formation and playing two men up-front. Richard Dunne is still suspended for the game, the final match of his four-game ban, so Nedum Onuoha and Vincent Kompany will again form the bedrock of the Blues’ defence.

Captured by Sky Sports cameras, Bosingwa lunges in at Benayoun, raking his studs down the Israeli’s back

My team:

                                       Given

Zabaleta       Onuoha                   Kompany         Bridge

                                     de Jong    

                      Elano                         Ireland                     

Bellamy                                                            Robinho 

                                    Caicedo

Subs: Hart, Garrido, Richards, Weiss, Sturridge, Evans, Vassell

Key Battles:

David James ‘v’ Shay Given

Given was utterly butterly outstanding on his debut against ‘Boro last week, and will be looking to carry his form into this game, when he comes up against arguably the best English goalie in the Premiership. James, although poor on his decision making, is an excellent shot-stopper and he will probably have many chances to display his skills, although I hope, unsuccessfully. 

James has never been one to conform to normailty

Armand Traoré ‘v’ Pablo Zabaleta

Possibly the bargain of the season (although Jo might have something to say about that), and now situated in his new midfield role, Zabaleta has been one of City’s best players this season. Traoré is on loan from Arsenal and has certainly added a new dimension to the Pompey side with his trickery and Usain Bolt-like pace. Zabaleta needs to defend solidly in this match and not let the Frenchman run the show.

Peter ‘Daddy Long-Legs’ Crouch ‘v’ Vincent Kompany

Crouch moved from Liverpool to the South Coast in the summer, but has failed to light up Pompey. His strike-partner, Jermain Defoe, has left the club to rejoin Tottenham, so there will be an extra burden placed upon the giraffe-like shoulders of Crouch. Kompany has taken on the captain’s armband in the absence of Richard Dunne and has looked secure at the back, so will hope to snuff out any danger.

Verdict: Portsmouth 1 – 2 Man City

A rare away victory for City, with goals to be scored by Bellamy, Ireland and Crouch.