Team News
Younes Kaboul is banned following his celebration at the Stadium of Light on Saturday so it's expected that Tal Ben-Haim will play at centre back against his former club, with Steve Finnan coming in at right back.
Kevin-Prince Boateng should have recovered from his illness to take his place in a packed midfield whilst Papa Bouba Diop could also start after coming on as a sub at Sunderland.
There is some good news as far as Chelsea team news is concerned because it's doubtful Didier Drogba will play and Michael Essien is also missing. Ricardo Carvalho is set to be rested in favour of Alex who returns to the side.
The Match
Like most other Pompey fans, I just want to get this one over with as soon as possible. Carlo Ancelotti may be without a couple of key players but the Pompey defence will still have to cope with the likes of Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard.
Mind you, Pompey have a small chance of getting a result at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea have hardly been impervious recently. Since thrashing Arsenal, the West Londoners have been dumped out of the Carling Cup by Blackburn and beaten by Manchester City and have also been held to draws by Everton and Apoel Nicosia at home.
They have also conceded 10 goals in those four games and the natives are getting restless. If I was Avram Grant I would tell Pompey to play possession football (if possible against such high quality opposition) and regularly get men back to frustrate our hosts. The last thing I want to see is Pompey conceding an early goal.
After the stoppage time events at Sunderland on Saturday, Pompey fans may believe that despite the team playing poorly, Avram Grant has something that his predecessor didn't: luck.
It will take more than luck to get anything tomorrow and if I'm being completely honest, I would take a narrow but respectable defeat tomorrow night and concentrate on the task of beating Liverpool on Saturday.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Chelsea
GK: Petr CECH
RB: Branislav IVANOVIC
CB: John TERRY
CB: ALEX
LB: Ashley COLE
RM: Florent MALOUDA
CM: Michael BALLACK
CM: Frank LAMPARD
LM: Joe COLE
CF: Nicolas ANELKA
CF: Saloman KALOU
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: Steve FINNAN
CB: Tal BEN-HAIM
CB: Marc WILSON
LB: Tal BEN-HAIM
RM: Aruna DINDANE
CM: Michael BROWN
CM: Kevin-Prince BOATENG
CM: Jamie O'HARA
LM: Nadir BELHADJ
CF: KANU
Last Time: Chelsea 4 Portsmouth 0
The opening game of the season ended in disaster as Luis Felipe Scolari's side brushed Pompey aside. Joe Cole slotted past James early on and then Anelka punished poor defending as he out-jumped the Pompey 'keeper to nod in a second goal.
Frank Lampard scored the third from the penalty spot after Distin was harshly judged to have handled the ball in the box. Deco stunned Stamford Bridge with a rocket in stoppage time to further pile the misery on Pompey fans.
Pundit Watch
Sky Sports: Home Win (3-0)
My Prediction: We'll lose, but I think we'll keep it respectable.
Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 0