Team News
Paul Hart has been given a selection headache because of injuries and players who are cup-tied. Steve Finnan and Hermann Hreidarsson are still injured whilst Tommy Smith, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Mike Williamson and Jamie O'Hara have featured for either Watford or Tottenham in the previous round.
Greg Abbott will welcome back Richard Keogh, Joe Anyinsah and Gary Madine to his side but Simon Lakeland is still injured. Abbott's squad holds a couple of recognisable names in Scottish forward Scott Dobie and ex-Leeds full back Ian Harte.
The Match
It's a long way from the south coast of Hampshire to Cumbria and the Pompey fans who make the journey tomorrow are indeed brave as many believe that Carlisle will cause an upset on their own turf.
This game has "Gillingham 2005" written all over it. A squad short of numbers and confidence travelling to a League One team who have nothing to lose and have already beaten Bristol City away from home in this competition. This is the type of game that fills me with dread.
But we must remember that despite our current status, we're still playing a team two divisions below us who have had a mediocre start to the season as they currently lie in 17th place.
And despite our lowly position in the Premier League, it isn't as if our recent performances have been absolutely dire. We have enough quality to get through this tie but it will be the attitude that counts.
Because this game is more about winning some pride back rather that the Carling Cup itself. If we lose this, it will be humiliating and we'll struggle to recover for Everton on Saturday, so it is imperative that whatever team Hart selects gets the job done.
But don't be too surprised if there is an upset...
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Carlisle
GK: Lenny PIDGELEY
RB: Ian HARTE
CB: Peter MURPHY
CB: Richard KEOGH
LB: David RAVEN
RM: Joe ANYINSAH
CM: Graham KAVANAGH
CM: Matty ROBSON
LM: Paul THIRLWELL
CF: Scott DOBIE
CF: Richard OFFIONG
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: Anthony VANDEN BORRE
CB: Tal BEN HAIM
CB: Younes KABOUL
LB: Nadir BELHADJ
RM: Hassan YEBDA
CM: Aaron MOKOENA
CM: Hayden MULLINS
LM: Richard HUGHES
CF: Frederic PIQUIONNE
CF: John UTAKA
My Prediction: This will be a tough game, no doubt about it. However, we do have the quality to see us through despite the absentees.
Carlisle United 1 Portsmouth 2 (After Extra Time)