Team News
With David James' move to Stoke imminent, Asmir Begovic will keep his place in goal but Younes Kaboul and Steve Finnan could return to the side after injury. Tommy Smith will miss this game against his former club with a hamstring injury, along with Richard Hughes.
Michael Turner returns to the Sunderland side after a ban but new signing Matt Kilgallon is cup-tied. Steve Bruce claims that 'keeper Craig Gordon will start ahead of first choice stopper Marton Fulop.
The Match
Before the game there will be the "S.O.S Pompey" march which starts at Guildhall Square, gathers pace at Milton Park and then heads to Fratton Park. Media from Sky, BBC and ITV are expected to cover this if there is a good turnout so I'll be very interested to see the result of this protest.
As for the game itself, it's one we have more than a fair shout at winning given Sunderland's woeful form fresh from being pasted 7-2 by Chelsea. The Black Cats' 3-0 win at home to the mighty Barrow in the previous round is their only victory in nine games, a run which includes Pompey's last gasp draw at the Stadium of Light back in December.
We may have only scraped past Coventry and the club may be days from going into administration but I still feel we can beat a Sunderland side who can't buy a win at this moment in time.
People who say "the cup doesn't matter" may have a point considering that Pompey have bigger fish to fry on the pitch as the club tries to avoid relegation, but a win tomorrow will give the cook some much needed oil to fry that fish.
That's at least until he gets burned, or released because the employer can't afford to pay him....
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Asmir BEGOVIC
RB: Steve FINNAN
CB: Younes KABOUL
CB: Marc WILSON
LB: Hermann HREIDARSSON
RM: John UTAKA
CM: Michael BROWN
CM: Papa Bouba DIOP
CM: Aaron MOKOENA
LM: Kevin-Prince BOATENG
CF: Frederic PIQUIONNE
Sunderland
GK: Craig GORDON
RB: Phil BARDSLEY
CB: Michael TURNER
CB: Paulo DA SILVA
LB: Kieran RICHARDSON
RM: Andy REID
CM: Lorik CANA
CM: Lee CATTERMOLE
LM: Steed MALBRANQUE
CF: Darren BENT
CF: Kenwyne JONES
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Home Win (2-1)
My Prediction: The post-match talk and press will be about the protest but on the pitch I think there will be joy to be had as this should be the perfect time to play Sunderland right now.
Portsmouth 2 Sunderland 1