Team News
Pompey will give late fitness tests to David Nugent and John Utaka but both should be available for selection, whilst Marc Wilson is likely to play his last game for the club before moving to Stoke.
Craig Bellamy will lead a strong looking Cardiff side out, with Jay Bothroyd and new signing Andy Keogh battling to partner him in attack. Michael Chopra and Darcy Blake will miss the game with injury but players such as Peter Whittingham and Kevin McNaughton, who played in the Cup Final two years ago, should feature.
The Match
Like Pompey, Cardiff fans have been put through the mill recently as their club has also been threatened with winding-up orders from HMRC. However, with new owners on board, the future looks bright for the Bluebirds who now have a squad capable of automatic promotion.
There seems to be some bitterness from some of their supporters from what I've seen, and even manager Dave Jones has "no sympathy whatsoever" for Pompey simply because "nobody has got any for us". (I think you'll find that most football fans don't want to see a club wound up, Dave.)
Not that our situation should matter to him, as he now has the luxury of having a proven Premier League goalscorer in Bellamy to pick for his team, along with the Championship's top scorer of last season in Whittingham.
As for Steve Cotterill, he will be forced to play anyone who is fit from the side that edged out Palace on penalties on Tuesday. Saying that, he does have the "bonus" of having John Utaka returning to the fold.
This is likely to be Marc Wilson's farewell appearance for Pompey, so hopefully he can chip in with a goal before his move to Stoke. He will be key to getting anything from tomorrow's game, as he is the only midfielder we have who can provide a quality forward pass.
However, the most important part of the match will be our defence vs their attack. Sonko and co. have not covered themselves in glory this season and are undoubtedly up against the best attacking force in the division.
Jamie Ashdown has shone in Pompey's last two games and I believe he will have to be at his best again if we are to go away from Fratton Park a happy bunch tomorrow.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Jamie ASHDOWN
RB: Hayden MULLINS
CB: Ibrahima SONKO
CB: Aaron MOKOENA
LB: Carl DICKINSON
CM: Marc WILSON
CM: Michael BROWN
CM: Richard HUGHES
RWF: Tommy SMITH
LWF: John UTAKA
CF: David NUGENT
Cardiff
GK: David MARSHALL
RB: Adam MATTHEWS
CB: Gabor GYEPES
CB: Mark HUDSON
LB: Kevin McNAUGHTON
RM: Peter WHITTINGHAM
CM: Danny DRINKWATER
CM: Seyi OLOFINJANA
LM: Andy KEOGH
CF: Jay BOTHROYD
CF: Craig BELLAMY
Last Time: Portsmouth 0 Cardiff City 0 (Division Two - 23/03/1985)
I don't remember anything about this game as it was before I was born. Those who were around then may remember it for the famous "clock theft" incident.
My Prediction
Dave Jones says that Cardiff "owe" us one after 2008 and I can't see anything other than him and his men avenging their FA Cup Final defeat. I simply cannot see our clumsy defence keeping out such a potent strike force.
Portsmouth 1 Cardiff City 3