Team News
Sean Davis misses out on a return to his former club as he is suspended after picking up 2 yellow cards against Liverpool. However, former Pompey hero Matt Taylor will be expected to play.
Paul Hart could hand debuts to up to six players although it is expected that Tal Ben-Haim will face his former club and he will be joined by Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jamie O'Hara and Hassan Yebda.
Hermann Hreidarsson, Steve Finnan and Papa Bouba Diop are all still injured but David James, crucially, will return whilst latest recruit Danny Webber is only expected to make the bench.
Ricardo Gardner is Gary Megson's only injury concern and he will probably hand loan signing Ivan Klasnic his debut after his apperance at Wembley on Wednesday.
The Match
With both teams seriously struggling, this is being hyped as a must-win game for Pompey and Bolton. Our worst ever start to a season may condemn us to the drop just five games into the season if we fail to beat Bolton tomorrow.
I expect an ugly game with chances few and far between and many yellow cards being handed out. This is an opportunity for the new guys to show us what they can do and to show some fight for the battle ahead.
But although tomorrow will be a battle, I'd like Paul Hart to show us some enterprise and attack Bolton at every opportunity, much like he did against Sunderland last season. We can't afford to be cautious against a fellow relegation struggler and should go for the jugular from the start.
The hopes of the majority of the Pompey fans rests on this game entirely. Win, and there might be some belief that we can stay in the division. Draw, and the gloom will continue to set iin. Lose, and we might as well give up all hope already.
I don't care how we win. I'd take the most boring game in the world that's settled by a scrappy own goal in the last minute if that is what it takes to chalk up the three points tomorrow. We simply have to win by any means possible!
Play Up Pompey!
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: Anthony VANDEN BORRE
CB: Younes KABOUL
CB: Tal BEN-HAIM
LB: Nadir BELHADJ
CM: Michael BROWN
CM: Jamie O'HARA
CM: Kevin-Prince BOATENG
RWF: John UTAKA
LWF: Tommy SMITH
CF: Frederic PIQUIONNE
Bolton
GK: Jussi JAASKELAINEN
RB: Sam RICKETTS
CB: Gary CAHILL
CB: Zat KNIGHT
LB: JLloyd SAMUEL
RM: Fabrice MUAMBA
CM: Tamir COHEN
CM: Gavin McCANN
LM: Matthew TAYLOR
CF: Ivan KLASNIC
CF: Kevin DAVIES
Last Time: Portsmouth 1 Bolton Wanderers 0
Nadir Belhadj replaced the injured Niko Kranjcar and provided the corner for Kanu to tap in all from a yard out. That goal was enough to seperate the two sides in this relegation six-pointer.
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Draw (0-0)
Sky Sports: Draw (0-0)
Soccernet: Draw
My Prediction: Everyone thinks this will be a bore draw but I beg to differ. Both teams have to win, moreso us as we've played an extra game and we're at home. My head says we'll draw but I'm going for my heart's instinct on this one.
Portsmouth 1 Bolton Wanderers 0