Portsmouth vs Burnley Preview

30 March 2012 19:06
The "great escape" continues...

Pompey take on Burnley tomorrow in another "must win" game in the fight for Championship survival.

Team News

Michael Appleton is likely to name an unchanged side from the 2-0 win over Hull though Kelvin Etuhu and Marko Futacs will again be pushing to start.

Eddie Howe may be without star striker Jay Rodriguez who is rated doubtful with a hip injury but he has no other concerns.

The Match

Pompey fans may well be planning a takeover of the club, as Peter Storrie may well be doing the same but for now the focus here will be on tomorrow's important match.

The team will be on a high following arguably the best performance of the season against Hull on Tuesday night. Couple that with the 4-1 hammering of Birmingham in the previous home game along with Burnley's form and you can see why everyone is so optimistic.

The Clarets are winless in seven games, concede goals for fun and their season has dissolved into nothing having looked so promising six weeks ago.

That may make them dangerous opposition as they can play with little pressure and plenty of freedom but at the same time they will probably lack the desire and energy that our lads will have, knowing that Pompey desperately need to win this game.

The common belief is that they will. The team is settled, playing some great attacking football on their own turf and are sound at the back. The only way Pompey will fail to win this game is if nerves get the better of them and/or profligacy hits the squad.

What a feelng it would be going to our neighbours down the road next week on the back of back-to-back victories.

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Pompey

GK: Jamie ASHDOWN

RB: Tal BEN-HAIM

CB: Greg HALFORD

CB: Jason PEARCE

LB: Karim REKIK

RM: Scott ALLAN

CM: George THORNE

CM: David NORRIS

LM: Joel WARD

CF: Luke VARNEY

CF: Chris MAGUIRE

Burnley

GK: Lee GRANT

RB: Kieran TRIPPIER

CB: Michael DUFF

CB: David EDGAR

LB: Ben MEE

RM: Dean MARNEY

CM: Marvin BARTLEY

CM: Chris McCANN

LM: Ross WALLACE

CF: Martin PATERSON

CF: Danny INGS

Last Time: Portsmouth 1 Burnley 2 (Championship - 25/01/2011)

Jay Rodriguez gave Burnley the lead after tapping in a cross but Pompey responded quickly after Kanu sent John Utaka through on goal, and the Nigerian made no mistake in equalising.

However, a dire game ended in defeat thanks to Dean Marney's overhead kick as Eddie Howe got his first win as Burnley boss at the expense of his club's former manager.

My Prediction

Despite Burnley's poor run they still know how to find the net and I think this game will be more difficult than some fans think. Still, given Pompey's recent performances at home and the importance of this game I think it will be another win for Appy's men.

Portsmouth 2 Burnley 1

Source: FOOTYMAD