Follow every kick as West Ham United take on Portsmouth at Upton Park in the Premier League
on 26-Dec-2009, kick off time 13:00
West Ham United v Portsmouth Live
Match Preview
The Boxing Day showdown between West Ham United and Portsmouth is sure to dish up a few festive treats with both outfits loitering the relegation zone. The pair picked up favourable results last weekend, with the Hammers securing a 1-1 draw against Chelsea and Portsmouth taking all three on offer against a lacklustre Liverpool side.
Portsmouth remain at the foot of the table but they languish just a point behind West Ham and the game promises to offer so much at a crucial stage of the season. Gianfranco Zola will be happy his Hammers outfit showed the desired battling qualities to keep Chelsea at arms length as they tried to make inroads after Frank Lampard's penalty had cancelled out Alessandro Diamanti's first half spot-kick.
With Matthew Upson marshalling his troops from the heart of defence in front of Robert Green, the Upton Park outfit should be confident of pulling away from the mire of the lower reaches of the table. Portsmouth should be buoyed themselves after a handful promising performances since the arrival of Avram Grant at Fratton Park. The 2-0 success against Liverpool has breathed new life into the side.
They have now picked up seven points from a possible 12, with their only setback coming against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and with this newly found form, Pompey are looking like a brand new side under Grant. Frederic Piquionne scored a sensational opener against the Merseysiders last time out and he will be keen to strike fear into the Hammers' back-line.
West Ham are expected to be without a number of key first team players ahead of the clash with Valon Behrami, Carlton Cole and Zavon Hines (all knee), Kieron Dyer (hamstring), Calum Davenport (thigh) and Luis Boa Morte (cruciate ligament) all on the sidelines. Portsmouth may be without England international goalkeeper David James, who continues to be frustrated with a long-standing calf problem.
Source: DSG
