Follow every kick as Portsmouth take on Birmingham City in the Premier League
on 09-Mar-2010, kick off time 19:45
Portsmouth v Birmingham City Live
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Portsmouth entertain Birmingham City at Fratton Park on Tuesday evening in a re-run of Saturday's FA Cup sixth round clash and the hosts will be hoping for another favourable outcome this time around.
Avram Grant's men waltzed to a 2-0 triumph and progress in the cup will be welcome news to the club's directors.
With their financial difficulties well publicised, a Wembley semi-final appearance against either Tottenham Hotspur or Fulham will supply much-needed revenue.
However, it is back to the bread and butter of the Premier League this week, but Pompey will be buoyed by their fine win over Alex McLeish's outfit, which brought about back-to-back wins after their Premier League away-day win at Burnley on February 27.
A second-half brace from Frederic Piquionne caused the damage against Alex McLeish's Midlands outfit and the frontman will be looking to aid his side's improbable challenge to avoid the drop this season.
If the South Coast outfit can grab another win, they would move to within two points of safety, but with administration worries looming, their fight could yet take a critical turn for the worst.
McLeish's men will be hurting after their disappointing reversal at the weekend and he will want to get back to winning ways.
He has guided his side to a top-half placing, thanks in the main to a fine 12-game unbeaten run through the winter.
They sit 16 points ahead of the relegation places and it is their stingy defensive record that has consolidated their place amongst the elite so far this campaign.
In their 27 league games this campaign they have conceded just 28 times, although 20 of these have been on the road.
Pompey have scored just 23 goals all term and they must improve on this record if they are to climb away from the relegation places.
Grant could welcome back Tommy Smith (groin), Aaron Mokoena (knee) and Anthony Vanden Borre (hamstring), but Kevin-Prince Boateng (ankle) is definitely ruled out.
Source: DSG
