Source: FOOTYMAD
Portsmouth vs Reading Preview
Three years ago, things were much different. Pompey begin their home Championship campaign against Reading, which will no doubt evoke memories of the infamous "7-4" game.Team NewsWith options still extremely limited, Steve Cotterill is likely to name a similar side to the one which started at Coventry last week, though Carl Dickinson could make his debut at left back if his registration was approved by the Football League in time.Jay Tabb is likely to miss out for Reading with an ankle injury whilst Jobi McAnuff, Simon Church, Matt Mills and Shane Long are also doubts. Former Saints striker Grzegorz Rasiak should start up front.Ibrahima Sonko, Jamie Ashdown and Andy Griffin will be playing against their former clubs.The MatchBack in 2007 when this fixture was played, Pompey and Reading featured in the highest scoring game in Premier League history. The end of that season saw Pompey win the FA Cup and the Royals relegated, but it's the opposition who are in far better shape coming into this game.If Pompey fans want to take some comfort going into this game, then they should know that Fratton Park has been a bogey ground for Reading down the years. They have been comprehensively beaten the last three times they have visited Portsmouth and have only won once here in 28 years. But Royals fans will believe that this is the best chance in years to put that hoodoo to rest.This is an extremely important game for the club in terms of the mentality of the manager's, players' and fans. Lose, and people will start drawing parallels from this season and last, where we lost our first seven games.If we could win this game, all of a sudden the mood around the club changes and it becomes a more attractive proposition for players who are being targeted as loan signings.However, Reading have some very talented players, especially in wingers Jobi McAnuff and Jimmy Kebe whilst Shane Long and Rasiak will provide plenty of firepower up front.This will be a very difficult match, especially for such a small squad. I have a feeling it's not going to go our way.Predicted Starting Line-UpsPompeyGK: Jamie ASHDOWNRB: Hayden MULLINSCB: Ibrahima SONKOCB: Aaron MOKOENALB: Carl DICKINSONCM: Marc WILSONCM: Richard HUGHESCM: Michael BROWNRWF: Tommy SMITHLWF: Matt RITCHIECF: David NUGENTReadingGK: Adam FEDERICIRB: Marcus WILLIAMSCB: Alex PEARCECB: Brynjar GUNNARSSONLB: Andy GRIFFINRM: Jobi McANUFFCM: Jem KARACANCM: Gylfi SIGURDSSONLM: Jimmy KEBECF: Shane LONGCF: Grzegorz RASIAKLast Time: Portsmouth 7 Reading 4 (Premier League - 29/09/2007)We all know how this game panned out, but in amongst the Benjani hat-trick, goalkeeping mistakes and deflected goals, people seem to forget that Papa Bouba Diop had a goal wrongly disallowed before giving away the penalty that James eventually saved.My PredictionI'm not too confident about this one in all honesty. Pompey are still very much a work in progress whilst Reading look like a decent outfit, despite their opening day defeat to Scunthorpe. I feel their wingers may cause too many problems for us and our lack of fitness will tell towards the end of the match.Portsmouth 1 Reading 2
