It's a classic relegation six pointer with 18th vs 19th and the consequences of defeat are massive with Pompey just two points and one place above their hosts tomorrow.
There is a feeling amongst both sets of supporters that the losers of this game will be relegated whilst a draw would be better for us than it would be for them. I agree with this and avoiding defeat is absolutely imperative if we're to have a good chance of survival.
A win would be brilliant and not only should take us out of the bottom three but would deliver a huge blow to Boro's survival chances. It might be difficult to achieve that given that Gareth Southgate's team have kept four consecutive clean sheets at home.
On the flip side Boro have only scored 12 goals at home all season which is the worst in the league so if we're organised as we have been under Paul Hart then Pompey may keep a rare clean sheet themselves.
Hart is likely to name the same team that lost to Chelsea in the same 4-4-1-1 formation with Niko Kranjcar playing in the hole and David Nugent playing wide on the left.
Southgate is sweating on the fitness of Justin Hoyte with Tony McMahon ready to fill in. A certain Gary O'Neil has been running his mouth about galvanising a Boro "great escape" starting with a win tomorrow so I'm sure I'm not the only one who hopes he has a shocker tomorrow.
Boro are also a model of inconsistency having convincingly beaten Liverpool in on Teeside they followed that by getting hammered 4-0 at Spurs. They then turned a win into a defeat within minutes at Goodison Park last week as Everton dumped them out of the cup with two quick second half goals.
Brad Jones looked very dodgy during that game so we'll be wanting a repeat performance this weekend and hopefully Paul Hart would have told his players in Dubai to test the inexperienced shot stopper early on.
Losing this game would be a disaster for Pompey so I'd be content with a draw here. On the other hand, this match represents a massive opportunity to get out of the relegation zone and hammer a huge nail into Middlesbrough's coffin.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Middlesbrough
GK: Brad JONES
RB: Tony McMAHON
CB: Robert HUTH
CB: David WHEATER
LB: Emmanuel POGATETZ
RM: Gary O'NEIL
CM: Didier DIGARD
CM: Julio ARCA
LM: Stewart DOWNING
CF: TUNCAY Sanli
CF: Marlon KING
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: Glen JOHNSON
CB: Sol CAMPBELL
CB: Sylvain DISTIN
LB: Hermann HREIDARSSON
RM: Jermaine PENNANT
CM: Sean DAVIS
CM: Angelos BASINAS
LM: David NUGENT
AM: Niko KRANJCAR
CF: Peter CROUCH
Last Time: Middlesbrough 2 Pompey 0
Pompey's final away game of last season ended in defeat despite being the better side in the early stages. Chris Riggott headed in from a corner in the first half and then Tuncay scored from a corner in the second half to ensure Pompey were beaten at the Riverside for the first time in a decade.
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Home Win (2-1)
Sky Sports: Home Win (2-1)
Soccernet: Draw
My Prediction: Boro are good at home for the most part but defeat is absolutely unthinkable here. So given that both sides struggle to score goals...
Middlesbrough 0 Pompey 0