Source: SKY_Sports
Pompey v Fulham preview
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Portsmouth will be out to defy the critics when they host Fulham at Fratton Park in their season-opener this weekend.[LNB] Pompey are being tipped for a season of struggle following the loss of key personnel, such as England internationals Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch.[LNB]The South Coast side have strengthened slightly this summer, although Paul Hart's captures have been free or loan additions.[LNB]With Sulaiman Al-Fahim's takeover yet to be finalised Hart looks set to go with what he has at his fingertips for now.[LNB]Fulham surprised all last term with their seventh-placed finish and how Roy Hodgson goes about building on their success will make interesting viewing.[LNB]Hodgson has brought in Bjorn Helge Riise and Stephen Kelly, although they could make one big-name signing before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.[LNB]Pompey newsAaron Mokoena and Anthony Vanden Borre should make their Pompey debuts, while Antti Niemi will be cover for David James, who has recovered from shoulder surgery.[LNB]Mokoena is set to line up alongside Papa Bouba Diop in the middle of the park with Niko Kranjcar and the fleet-footed Nadir Belhadj providing the width.[LNB]Vanden Borre, who joined from Genoa on loan on Thursday, is still awaiting his international clearance to feature for Pompey although his obvious replacement Steven Finnan (hamstring) is out.[LNB]Hernan Hreidarsson should win the other full-back berth with Younes Kaboul and Sylvain Distain at the heart of their defence following Sol Campbell's exit ahead of James.[LNB]Loanee Frederic Piquionne is set to lead the line following his pre-season brace against Rangers, but it remains to be seen whether he partners David Nugent or John Utaka.[LNB]Fulham newsFulham manager Hodgson will asses his international players before finalising his starting XI.[LNB]The Cottagers boss had a number of stars feature in midweek, with Clint Dempsey playing the full 90 minutes for USA in Mexico City.[LNB]Mark Schwarzer is sure to stay between the sticks after barely being tested in Australia's midweek 3-0 success over Republic of Ireland.[LNB]Brede Hangeland emerged unscathed from Norway's win over Scotland and will captain the side with John Pantsil, Aaron Hughes and Paul Konchesky making up the back line.[LNB]If Dempsey is suffering from jet-lag then Zoltan Gera could be handed the left-wing spot with Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu in the middle with new-boy Riise out wide on the right.[LNB]Fulham's forward line will have a familiar ring to it with Bobby Zamora, who rejected a summer switch to Hull City, lining up alongside Andy Johnson.[LNB]Diomansy Kamara, Erik Nevland and Eddie Johnson will all contest places on Hodgson's bench.[LNB]Possible starting XIsPortsmouth: James, Vanden Borre, Distin, Kaboul, Hreidarsson, Kranjcar, Diop, Mokoena, Belhadj, Utaka, Piquionne.[LNB]Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Riise, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Zamora, Johnson.[LNB]
