Portsmouth vs Cardiff Preview

Last updated : 26 August 2011 By Jim Bonner

After taking four points from the last two games, Pompey will be hoping to build on those performances with a win over Cardiff City.

Team News

Erik Huseklepp and Benjani are pushing for starts after the former's exciting brief cameo at Bristol City and the latter's midweek hat-trick in a friendly with Swindon. New signing Marko Futacs may be handed a place on the bench.

Malky Mackay may be able to call on Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarrsson and Slovakian winger Filip Kiss as they have recovered from injuries. Kenny Miller and Robert Earnshaw should continue up front.

The Match

After keeping two clean sheets in a row, confidence will be fairly high going into what looks like a difficult game against Cardiff City.

Malky Mackay has seen big names players leave his club but those big names had big egos and his team now look like a unit based on teamwork than individual quality.

That's not to say that the Bluebirds don't have good players in their side. Mackay has been shrewd in the transfer market, securing the return of Robert Earnshaw and the services of Kenny Miller up front.

Speaking of acquisitions, Pompey fans may be treated to seeing Erik Huseklepp start the game tomorrow after he created a buzz amongst the travelling fans at Bristol City last week when he came on as a late sub.

There may be a debut appearance for Pompey's new Hungarian striker Futacs too. Should Pompey be losing the game, I expect the 6'5'' tall forward to be brought on as a direct measure late on in the match.

I expect Steve Cotterill to select the same side that played in the bore draw at Bristol last weekend. It was a disappointing performance going forward and so I'm hoping that our cautious manager takes a more positive approach to this match.

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Pompey

GK: Jamie ASHDOWN

RB: Aaron MOKOENA

CB: Jason PEARCE

CB: Greg HALFORD

LB: Tal BEN-HAIM

RM: Liam LAWRENCE

CM: Hayden MULLINS

CM: David NORRIS

LM: Luke VARNEY

CF: KANU

CF: Dave KITSON

Cardiff

GK: David MARSHALL

RB: Kevin McNAUGHTON

CB: Mark HUDSON

CB: Anthony GERRARD

LB: Andrew TAYLOR

RM: Joe MASON

CM: Don COWIE

CM: Craig CONWAY

LM: Peter WHITTINGHAM

CF: Kenny MILLER

CF: Robert EARNSHAW

Last Time: Portsmouth 0 Cardiff City 2 (Championship - 28/08/2010)

Hayden Mullins was unfortunate enough to pass the ball into his own net in the first half of this game whilst a defensive mix up between Ibrahima Sonko and Jamie Ashdown saw Jay Bothroyd presented with the easiest of chances as he slotted the ball into an empty net.

Click here for the Fratton Faithful Cardiff City Championship Profile page.

My Prediction

Cardiff have plenty of firepower up front and have started the season fairly well so I don't expect a third clean sheet in a row. I do forsee one of the new boys making their first home appearance to score, though so I'll predict yet another draw.

Portsmouth 1 Cardiff City 1