West Ham vs Portsmouth Preview

Published: 09 Sep 2011 - 18:35:58

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Pompey look to take something from rejuvenated Hammers. Pompey travel to Upton Park tomorrow with West Ham looking to claim their first home win of the season. Team News Hayden Mullins has recovered from the groin injury he suffered against Cardiff in the last game to play against his former club. Benjani is pushing for a start whilst Erik Huseklepp will be hoping to keep his place after a poor full debut. The Hammers have four ex-Pompey players in their ranks. Matthew Taylor is likely to start against his former employers but new signing Papa Bouba Diop and Freddie Piquionne are likely to be on the bench. Gary O'Neil is a long term injury and may never play football again according to some West Ham fans. The Match West Ham United have gone on a signing spree since their last game and their squad is now full of quality players that should get them promoted. The former Pompey players are something to be wary about during tomorrow's game but the likes of John Carew, Guy Demel, Kevin Nolan and David Bentley are sure to have an impact too. Whilst Steve Cotterill has been condemned for playing a poor brand attritional football that is focused on hoofing it long, perhaps that tactic might fare better at Upton Park against what looks like a superior football team. You won't find many Pompey fans going into this one optimistic. The only real hope is to keep things tight and let the expectant home fans get frustrated with their team's performance, which could lead to more wayward passes and shots off target in frustration. However, given a large number of debutants who will want to make an impression added to an already talented team, I can only see a defeat here and it would not surprise me at all to see one of our ex-players score past Pompey tomorrow. Predicted Starting Line-Ups West Ham GK: Robert GREEN RB: Guy DEMEL CB: Winston REID CB: James TOMKINS LB: George McCARTNEY RM: David BENTLEY CM: Kevin NOLAN CM: Mark NOBLE LM: Matthew TAYLOR CF: Carlton COLE CF: Sam BALDOCK Pompey GK: Jamie ASHDOWN RB: Joel WARD CB: Greg HALFORD CB: Jason PEARCE LB: Tal BEN-HAIM RM: Liam LAWRENCE CM: Hayden MULLINS CM: David NORRIS LM: Erik HUSEKLEPP CF: Luke VARNEY CF: Dave KITSON Last Time: West Ham United 2 Portsmouth 0 (Premier League - 26/12/2009) This relegation scrap did not go Pompey's way as Michael Brown tripped Luis Jiminez in the box and Allessandro Diamanti scored the resulting penalty. Pompey pressed forward late on but Ricardo Kovac headed in a deciding goal a minute from time to condemn Avram Grant to a defeat to the team he would be relegated with the following season. Click here for the Fratton Faithful West Ham Championship Profile page. My Prediction Sam Allardyce's might feel the pressure of performing in front of their expectant fans and Pompey do have a good record at the Boleyn Ground but they should be too good for a Pompey side who struggle to play good football. West Ham United 2 Portsmouth 0