Source: FOOTYMAD
Portsmouth vs Nottingham Forest Preview
Can Pompey keep up their superb run of form? Nottingham Forest come to Fratton Park for the first time in eight years as Pompey look to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.Team NewsRicardo Rocha should be available for selection after recovering from a hamstring problem so it might be that Pompey are finally able to fill the bench for the first time this season!Billy Davies has a few injury worries as both Nathan Tyson and Robert Earnshaw are struggling with injuries but Ryan Bertrand is back following suspension.The MatchAfter winning at Hull on Saturday and then coming out of administration on Sunday, everything at Portsmouth Football Club seems to be positive as the club begins to stumble to its feet after being knocked down for so long.All of a sudden there is talk of a promotion push and many fans are confident that Pompey will put Forest to the sword tomorrow and continue their march up the table.So, it would be the "typical Portsmouth" thing to do if Pompey were to now lose the match and play absolutely abysmally!Forest come to Fratton Park having won their last two games but all in all, have drawn seven of their 13 Championship matches, making them the division's draw specialists. They have lost just one of their last 12 games, however.A win for Pompey would see them leap Billy Davies' side in the table and possibly end Saturday in a play-off place. Such a feat wouldn't have been imagined six weeks ago but such is the turnaround of fortunes at this club, some fans are believing that this match is simply a formality.But with players like Chris Gunter, Lewis McGugan, Radoslaw Majewski and Chris Cohen to name but a few, this certainly will not be an easy game for Pompey.This game is heading towards a sell out, so that just reinforces the view that things are on the up at Pompey, let's hope Steve Cotterill's blue army can get another three points and continue the march up the Championship table.Predicted Starting Line-UpsPompeyGK: Jamie ASHDOWNRB: Greg HALFORDCB: Aaron MOKOENACB: Ricardo ROCHALB: Carl DICKINSONRM: Liam LAWRENCECM: Hayden MULLINSCM: Michael BROWNLM: John UTAKACF: David NUGENTCF: Dave KITSONForestGK: Lee CAMPRB: Chris GUNTERCB: Kelvin WILSONCB: Wes MORGANLB: Ryan BERTRANDRM: Paul ANDERSONCM: Paul McKENNACM: Radaslow MAJEWSKILM: Chris COHENSS: Lewis McGUGANCF: David McGOLDRICKLast Time: Portsmouth 2 Nottingham Forest 0 (Division One - 10/08/2002)A new era for Pompey began on the opening day of the 2002/2003 season with a comfortable win over Paul Hart's Nottingham Forest. Deon Burton grabbed the first goal after just eight minutes and Vincent Pericard doubled the lead right before half time with a header.Pompey held out in the second half for the first of many wins of that memorable Championship winning season.My PredictionIt may be my cynicism, but everything at Pompey is going so well that I'm actually expecting a defeat tomorrow! Yes, I have little faith but I'm hopeful the lads will prove my cynical mind wrong tomorrow.Portsmouth 1 Nottingham Forest 2
