Team News
Anthony Vanden Borre has received his international clearance and should come in on the right wing for John Utaka for the only change from the defeat to Fulham.
Alex McLeish is likely to stick with the same side that performed well at Old Trafford on Sunday, although Christian Benitez could make his first start for the club.
The Blues also have a host of injury problems, especially in defence with Giovanny Espinoza, David Murphy and Liam Ridgewell all missing which means ex-Pompey full back Gregory Vignal should face his former club.
The Match
Failure to get something from Fulham has already put Pompey under a lot of pressure for this game against opposition who are likely to be down there with us this season. With Arsenal and Man City on the horizon, spirits would be extremely low if we were to be beaten again tomorrow.
For all for the effort our players showed on Saturday there was simply not enough chances created or taken against Fulham. The formation might suit us better away from home and hopefully Vanden Borre can fill the gaping hole left by the useless Utaka last weekend.
With Birmingham's defence ripped apart by injuries we need Fred Piquionne to give their makeshift back four plenty of problems. We also need Niko Kranjcar to pull the strings and not be as static as he was on Saturday because I believe our midfield is stronger than theirs currently.
It's our defence that worries me. Kaboul, Belhadj and Wilson in particular are all prone to mistakes so I'll be more than a bit concerned if Benitez turns out to be a pretty decent striker, not to mention that Cameron Jerome can cause problems on his day and Kevin "Scummer" Phillips only needs one chance to score too.
I can't see this being an open game as both sides already have too much to lose if they are defeated. It'll be cagey and I think this game might be decided by a defensive error, but the midfield battle will be key.
If we're the losing side tomorrow night then I really fear for our future.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Birmingham
GK: Joe HART
RB: Stephen CARR
CB: Roger JOHNSON
CB: Franck QUEUDRUE
LB: Gregory VIGNAL
RM: Sebastien LARSSON
CM: Barry FERGUSON
CM: Lee CARSLEY
LM: James McFADDEN
CF: Cameron JEROME
CF: Christian BENITEZ
Portsmouth
GK: David JAMES
RB: Younes KABOUL
CB: Sylvain DISTIN
CB: Marc WILSON
LB: Nadir BELHADJ
RM: Anthony VANDEN BORRE
CM: Aaron MOKOENA
CM: Papa BOUBA DIOP
CM: Hayden MULLINS
LM: Niko KRANJCAR
CF: Frederic PIQUIONNE
Last Time: Birmingham City 0 Portsmouth 2
Pompey were gifted the lead in the first half when Ghanian 'keeper Richard Kingson let compatriot Sulley Muntari's weak shot in between his legs.
Liam Ridgewell had a goal ruled out for offside in the second half as Birmingham tried to find an equaliser but Niko Kranjcar sealed another away win for Pompey with a stunning free kick.
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Home Win (2-1)
Sky Sports: Draw (2-2)
My Prediction: I always fear for any side who is the first team to play a promoted side at their ground and so this will be tougher for Pompey. Having said that, if we can't score against a ravaged defence that contains Gregory Vignal then we're really going to struggle. Neither side can afford to lose, so...
Birmingham City 1 Portsmouth 1