Team News
It'll be difficult to guess what sort of side Avram Grant picks tomorrow as there has been suggestions that he will play a weakened side in the Premier League for the rest of the season in protest against them, and because the league season is now an almost literally pointless exercise.
It's doubtful anyone carrying a slight injury will be risked so David James, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Hassan Yebda and John Utaka probably won't play.
After sacking Phil Brown, Iain Dowie must go into this game without the suspended George Boateng whilst both Kamil Zayatte and Anthony Gardner are still injured.
Stephen Hunt may make a return from a foot problem whilst Amr Zaki, who snubbed Pompey because we have two Algerian players and an Israeli manager, should start the game.
The Match
Whilst I can understand Avram Grant's frustration with the Premier League, I think playing a weakened side would only bring more problems to the club.
Firstly and most obviously, playing a weakened side would increase our chances of losing and we don't want to be heading into the FA Cup semi in bad form.
Not only that but I think many Pompey fans would feel cheated if they paid their hard earned money just to see a diluted team take on a Hull side who have just changed their manager and should be well up for this game.
Secondly, the Premier League will frown upon Grant's stance which may cost money that Pompey can't afford at the moment. Just ask Mick McCarthy...
Grant says that he doesn't want his players getting injured but then what's to stop them getting injured in training anyway? The players will also want to put themselves in the shop window so I think they'll all want to play for their futures.
Playing for their futures is something that Hull's players will certainly be doing. Phil Brown was sacked during the week and it was reported that the Tigers had approached Avram Grant before Iain Dowie took the reins for the last nine games of the season.
Dowie must stop the rot after his new team fell to just one place above Pompey in the table following a run of four straight defeats. But I think Pompey may do the other clubs a favour in the relegation battle as Hull simply aren't very good, especially away from home.
One more win for Pompey would ensure that Derby County will still hold the record for the lowest points tally in the Premier League, so at least that is something to aim for.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Jamie ASHDOWN
RB: Steve FINNAN
CB: Tal BEN-HAIM
CB: Hermann HREIDARSSON
LB: Nadir BELHADJ
CM: Marc WILSON
CM: Michael BROWN
CM: Jamie O'HARA
RWF: Danny WEBBER
LWF: Quincy OWUSU-ABEYIE
CF: Frederic PIQUIONNE
Hull
GK: Boaz MYHILL
RB: Paul McSHANE
CB: MUOYOKOLO
CB: Andy DAWSON
LB: Kevin KILBANE
RM: Craig FAGAN
CM: Dean MARNEY
CM: Jimmy BULLARD
LM: Stephen HUNT
CF: Jan VENNEGOOR OF HESSELINK
CF: Amr ZAKI
Last Time: Portsmouth 2 Hull City 2
Peter Crouch gave Pompey a half-time lead after heading in Younes Kaboul's cross but Michael Turner equalised shortly into the second half with a header of his own from a corner.
Glen Johnson gave Pompey the lead again with a simply stunning volley from long range with his after running onto the ball. Tony Adams failed to close out the game, however, and Pompey paid the price when Noe Pamarot put through his own net following pressure from Dean Windass late on in the match.
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Draw (1-1)
Sky Sports: Draw (1-1)
Soccernet: Away Win
My Prediction: Hull are a poor side and despite our problems we should be looking to beat them. The "new manager" effect may galvanise them, however and I think this will end all square.
Portsmouth 1 Hull City 1