Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough Preview

Time is running out so watch whilst you still can. Pompey take on Middlesbrough tomorrow in what looks like likely to be one of the club's final fixtures at Fratton Park. Team News Liam Lawrence has been loaned to Cardiff in a bid to ease the financial crisis but Michael Appleton has some good news as Luke Varney and Kelvin Etuhu should be available after injury. Dave Kitson returns after his one match ban whilst David Norris may also start after making a substitute appearance against Leeds last week. Ex-Southampton winger Adam Hammill could make his debut for Middlesbrough tomorrow whilst Lukas "Scummer" Jutkiewicz should start. Kevin Thomson is back from suspension but may have to settle for a place on the bench. The Match There's not too much to say here other than turn up, support the team, create an atmosphere and enjoy the football. After all, this could well be Pompey's final home game if Trevor Birch goes to court on the 9th of March and tells them that Portsmouth FC can no longer keep trading. Boro will be tough as they've recently come out of their slump, possess some quality players like Barry Robson, Rhys Williams and Marvin Emnes and hold one of the best away records in the Championship. On the contrary, Pompey are struggling to score, don't create many chances but still show the passion and the stomach for a fight. We do have the ability to "outfight" Tony Mowbray's men if the game turns into a scrap. It'll also be interesting to see if Luke Varney plays if he is fit. He would add some much needed pace into the team and could get behind the Boro backline. Etuhu's return would also be timely as he is clearly a key player if we're to get out of a relegation scrap. That's if the club survives long enough to see it until the end. Predicted Starting Line-Ups Pompey GK: Stephen HENDERSON RB: Tal BEN-HAIM CB: Ricardo ROCHA CB: Jason PEARCE LB: Greg HALFORD RM: Kelvin ETUHU CM: Hayden MULLINS CM: Joel WARD LM: Scott ALLAN SS: David NORRIS CF: Marko FUTACS Middlesbrough GK: Jason STEELE RB: Joseph BENNETT CB: Sebastian HINES CB: Matthew BATES LB: Justin HOYTE RM: Barry ROBSON CM: Rhys WILLIAMS CM: Julio ARCA LM: Adam HAMMILL CF: Marvin EMNES CF: Lukas JUTKIEWICZ Last Time: Portsmouth 0 Middlesbrough 0 (Championship - 12/03/2011) Hermann Hreidarsson hit the crossbar with a header and Dave Kitson had one cleared off the line in an otherwise dire affair. My Prediction This will be a difficult game but I think the Pompey players have shown they're up for a fight. If players return to the side, I think we can get a result albeit against a decent Boro outfit. Portsmouth 1 Middlesbrough 0

Source: FOOTYMAD