Team News
David James is fit again and should replace Asmir Begovic in the starting line up whilst Younes Kaboul also returns from suspension.
Steve Bruce's side face a defensive crisis with both Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley suspended whilst Anton Ferdinand is missing through ankle ligament damage and both John Mensah and George McCartney are doubtful.
Key midfielder Lee Cattermole is also out injured but both Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones should start up front for the Black Cats.
The Match
After winning the "must-win" game last week against Burnley, Pompey begin their nightmare run of fixtures with a long trek to the North East. Sunderland are unbeaten at home since losing the opening home game against Chelsea, having taken the scalp of Arsenal last time out.
Much has been made of Sunderland's defensive problems but I think the main focus of the game will be how our own leaky defence copes with a revitalised Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones who is always a handful for any defence.
Going by what Avram Grant has been saying about being a difficult team to play against, I have a feeling he will play Dindane up front on his own and pack the midfield with five players, though who will play down the flanks is anyone's guess.
I'll be brutally honest and say that despite needing all three points, I would accept a draw if offered now but it's difficult to see even that happening if Pompey play anything like they did against Burnley last week.
After losing their last two games on the trot at Fulham and Wigan, you can guarantee that the Mackems are going to come flying out of the traps and I'm not sure if we have the mentality in the side to deal with that.
On the other hand, if we can cope with what they throw at us then we could well get something out of the game if Dindane has his shooting boots or if Pompey can, for once this season, make the most out of a set-piece as I don't see Pompey carving out any opportunities from open play.
With a trip to Stamford Bridge on the horizon, we could really do with a result here even if it is just to forget about all the events off the pitch currently.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Sunderland
GK: Marton FULOP
RB: Nyron NOSWORTHY
CB: Paulo DA SILVA
CB: Michael TURNER
LB: George McCARTNEY
RM: Andy REID
CM: Lorik CANA
CM: Jordan HENDERSON
LM: Steed MALBRANQUE
CF: Kenwyne JONES
CF: Darren BENT
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: Steve FINNAN
CB: Marc WILSON
CB: Younes KABOUL
LB: Hermann HREIDARSSON
RM: Kevin-Prince BOATENG
CM: Michael BROWN
CM: Hayden MULLINS
CM: Jamie O'HARA
LM: Hassan YEBDA
CF: Aruna DINDANE
Last Time: Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 2
Djibril Cisse gave the home side the lead after outrunning Sol Campbell and slotting past James and he would have had a second goal if the Pompey 'keeper didn't keep out his point blank header.
Tony Adams rallied the troops in the second half and Nadir Belhadj equalised with a thunderbolt before El-Hadji Diouf brought down Glen Johnson in the box in the 91st minute. Jermain Defoe made no mistake from the spot to make the long journey home that much shorter for the delighted Pompey fans.
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Home Win (2-1)
Sky Sports: Away Win (0-1)
Soccernet: Home Win
My Prediction: I don't have a good feeling about this game. I'd take a draw but I think Bent and Jones might prove to be too much for our defense to cope with.
Sunderland 2 Portsmouth 1