It's been too long since we've scored at Fratton Park now and failure to score in this game would mean that the last home goal we would have registered in 2007 is Sulley Muntari's penalty against Reading on the 29th of September!
O'Neil is just one of many Boro who could miss out. George Boateng is suspended, David Wheater is ill and Chris Riggott, Andrew Taylor and most notably - Mido are all sidelined.
I believe that Harry Redknapp will go with an unchanged side from the team that held Arsenal on Boxing Day as Sean Davis is still out with a hamstring injury and Richard Hughes impressed against the Gunners so should keep his place ahead of Pedro Mendes.
That's unless Redknapp switches to a more attacking 4-4-2 as Boro could well sit back and defend like they did last season after their 3-0 drubbing at Birmingham. We all know that the 4-3-3 doesn't work against teams that like to play for a point at Fratton, so it'll be interesting to see what Harry goes with.
I'm sure all Pompey fans will be thinking that this is a game we've got to win as Gareth Southgate's side look like they'll be battling relegation this season. This is the sort of game where the likes of Niko Kranjcar, Benjani and John Utaka (if he plays) can make a difference.
Still, we shouldn't just expect to turn up and win like a portion of fans did against Tottenham. Boro are the only side to have beaten Arsenal this season and are capable of getting a result if we don't give 100% like we did in our last game.
On the other hand, Middlesbrough hate playing against us. They haven't beaten us at Fratton Park since 1990 and we've taken more points from Middlesbrough than any other team since our promotion to the Premier League. You could say we are something of a bogey team...
I would take a 1-0 win for Pompey and be done with it personally as this is a game we just have to win for the sake of a realistic push for Europe.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: LAUREN
CB: Sol CAMPBELL
CB: Sylvain DISTIN
LB: Hermann HREIDARSSON
CM: Richard HUGHES
CM: Papa BOUBA DIOP
CM: Sulley MUNTARI
RWF: BENJANI
LWF: Niko KRANJCAR
CF: KANU
Bench: Asmir BEGOVIC, Noe PAMAROT, Matthew TAYLOR, John UTAKA, David NUGENT
Middlesbrough
GK: Mark SCHWARZER
RB: Luke YOUNG
CB: Jonathan WOODGATE
CB: Robert HUTH
LB: Emmanuel POGATETZ
RM: Adam JOHNSON
CM: Fabio ROCHEMBACK
CM: Lee CATTERMOLE
LM: Stewart DOWNING
SS: TUNCAY Sanli
CF: Jeremie ALIADIERE
Bench: Ross TURNBULL, Julio ARCA, Mohamed SHAWKY, LEE Dong-Gook, Tom CRADDOCK
Last Time: Pompey 0 Middlesbrough 0
I can't remember much about this bore draw. Lauren made his debut and played right midfield, Yakubu did nothing (again) and Pompey were kept out mainly thanks to an outstanding performance from Jonathan Woodgate.
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Home Win (2-0)
Sky Sports: Home Win (1-0)
Soccernet: Draw
Footy-Mad: Home Win
My Prediction: Home Win (1-0)