Most Pompey fans have been excited ever since the draw. However, we don't want the European adventure to end at the first round but we couldn't have drawn much tougher opposition.
Guimaraes finished third in the Portuguese league last year and should have qualified for the Champions League automatically as a result of Porto's European ban for bribery of referees.
This ban was overturned and so Guimaraes had to play a qualifier which they lost to FC Basel, having a legitimate late goal ruled out for offside in the second leg, meaning they drew Pompey in the UEFA Cup.
Harry Redknapp is leaning towards sticking with the same side that dominated Middlesbrough in the second half on Saturday, though he could rest Sol Campbell ahead of a difficult trip to Man City on Sunday. John Utaka is also a doubt with a knee injury but I think he will shake it off.
Two players who definitely won't feature at all are David Nugent and Lauren who have been left out of the 23-man UEFA Cup squad selected for this round and the group stages (if we get there). Jerome Thomas and Ben Sahar also haven't been selected, mainly due to UEFA's squad selection policy.
Up to four places in a UEFA Cup squad are reserved for association-trained players who have been registered in only one country between the ages of 15. Another four places are reserved for "homegrown" players meaning youngsters Marc Wilson and Matt Ritchie find themselves in the squad.
Despite this game being Pompey's first in Europe, we have plenty of players with European experience so the occasion shouldn't faze them. The coaching staff have examined Guimaraes carefully and so should know where their strengths and weaknesses lie.
Having done some research myself I have discovered that Guimaraes' biggest strength is their workrate and spirit.
Coach Manuel Cajuda arrived at Vitoria S.C. on Christmas Day 2006 when the club was in mid-table obscurity in the Portuguese second division but he took them up that season and then pipped Benfica to third place in the first division the season after despite having no "big name" players.
Their stubborn, hardworking style has also resulted in plenty of cleansheets so we can expect to be pressed at Fratton Park tomorrow when Pompey have the ball. Cajuda has installed a siege mentality at the club and the belief that if they are willing to work hard enough for what they want then they will achieve it.
Their other major strength is their home form if last season is anything to go by. From 15 games at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques they won 11, drew 2 and lost 2. Therefore we really need to win tomorrow if we're to have a good chance of progressing to the group stages.
The good news is that the Guimaraes side has been decimated by injuries and suspensions which includes Nuno Assis and club captain Flavio so they are "down to the bare bones" in the extreme.
Without their best players I think we should have the quality to overcome Guimaraes but in honesty I have no idea what to expect as they are an unknown quantity.
One thing is for sure, the atmosphere at Fratton Park tomorrow evening should be electric. Guimaraes fans are said to be the most passionate in Portugal whilst we are obviously very excited going into our first competitive European fixture.
It should be a fantastic night. Play Up Pompey!
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: Glen JOHNSON
CB: Sol CAMPBELL
CB: Sylvain DISTIN
LB: Nadir BELHADJ
RM: John UTAKA
CM: Sean DAVIS
CM: Lassana DIARRA
LM: Armand TRAORE
CF: Jermain DEFOE
CF: Peter CROUCH
Vitoria Guimaraes
GK: NILSON
RB: ANDREZINHO
CB: Henrique SERENO
CB: DANILO
LB: LUCIANO AMARAL
DM: MORENO
DM: Joao ALVES
RM: CARLITOS
CM: Yves DESMARETS
LM: Joao FAJARDO
CF: ROBERTO
My Prediction
My gut instinct says we'll win, hopefully without conceding as away goals count double if the score is level after both legs. They'll work hard and make it very difficult for us but our pace and quality should see us through (hopefully!)
Pompey 2 Vitoria Guimaraes 0
Finally, I present to you a picture drawn by Guimaraes fan Miguel Salazar. It is titled "Decieving" and portrays Vitoria manager Manuel Cajuda infiltrating the Pompey fortress guarded by Peter Crouch, Sol Campbell and Harry Redknapp. It's very good I reckon! (Apologies for the reduced quality)
