Source: SKY_Sports
Pompey v Fulham preview
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Portsmouth will be out to defy the critics when they host Fulham at Fratton Park in their season-opener this weekend. Pompey are being tipped for a season of struggle following the loss of key personnel, such as England internationals Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch.The South Coast side have strengthened slightly this summer, although Paul Hart's captures have been free or loan additions.With Sulaiman Al-Fahim's takeover yet to be finalised Hart looks set to go with what he has at his fingertips for now.Fulham surprised all last term with their seventh-placed finish and how Roy Hodgson goes about building on their success will make interesting viewing.Hodgson has brought in Bjorn Helge Riise and Stephen Kelly, although they could make one big-name signing before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.Pompey newsAaron Mokoena and Anthony Vanden Borre should make their Pompey debuts, while Antti Niemi will be cover for David James, who has recovered from shoulder surgery.Mokoena is set to line up alongside Papa Bouba Diop in the middle of the park with Niko Kranjcar and the fleet-footed Nadir Belhadj providing the width.Vanden Borre, who joined from Genoa on loan on Thursday, is still awaiting his international clearance to feature for Pompey although his obvious replacement Steven Finnan (hamstring) is out.Hernan Hreidarsson should win the other full-back berth with Younes Kaboul and Sylvain Distain at the heart of their defence following Sol Campbell's exit ahead of James.Loanee Frederic Piquionne is set to lead the line following his pre-season brace against Rangers, but it remains to be seen whether he partners David Nugent or John Utaka.Fulham newsFulham manager Hodgson will asses his international players before finalising his starting XI.The Cottagers boss had a number of stars feature in midweek, with Clint Dempsey playing the full 90 minutes for USA in Mexico City.Mark Schwarzer is sure to stay between the sticks after barely being tested in Australia's midweek 3-0 success over Republic of Ireland.Brede Hangeland emerged unscathed from Norway's win over Scotland and will captain the side with John Pantsil, Aaron Hughes and Paul Konchesky making up the back line.If Dempsey is suffering from jet-lag then Zoltan Gera could be handed the left-wing spot with Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu in the middle with new-boy Riise out wide on the right.Fulham's forward line will have a familiar ring to it with Bobby Zamora, who rejected a summer switch to Hull City, lining up alongside Andy Johnson.Diomansy Kamara, Erik Nevland and Eddie Johnson will all contest places on Hodgson's bench.Possible starting XIsPortsmouth: James, Vanden Borre, Distin, Kaboul, Hreidarsson, Kranjcar, Diop, Mokoena, Belhadj, Utaka, Piquionne.Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Riise, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Zamora, Johnson.