Everton beat Derby on Sunday which extended their lead over us to seven points again, meaning we can't afford to drop points at Upton Park if we harbour any realistic hopes of catching them.
It's going to be a very difficult task to beat the mid-table Hammers as they won't have played for ten days yet we will probably be slightly fatigued after Saturday's semi. The biggest blow, however, is that Jermain Defoe will miss playing against his former club because he will be attending his Nan's funeral in St. Lucia.
Add to that the injury doubts for Milan Baros (ankle) and Lassana Diarra (dead leg) and our squad is stretched to the limit. The good news is that our strong defence should all start and David Nugent will be given a chance to prove that he is up to Premier League standard.
Alan Curbishley will be missing Freddie Ljungberg but otherwise should have a strong squad to select from. However, with the Hammers having nothing to play for in mid-table it's likely that we'll see some of West Ham's youth side play a part.
I don't expect much from the game tomorrow because we'll be playing a weakened side that will be a bit physically and mentally drained. Saying that, the team could be boosted by their status as FA Cup Finalists against a team who may very well be thinking about their holidays already and so we can't completely write this game off.
Only a win will do if we want to catch Everton so I can only hope that Harry can keep up the 100% record we have at the Boleyn Ground.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
West Ham
GK: Robert GREEN
RB: Lucas NEILL
CB: Anton FERDINAND
CB: Jonathan SPECTOR
LB: George McCARTNEY
RM: Mark NOBLE
CM: Scott PARKER
CM: Hayden MULLINS
LM: Luis BOA MORTE
CF: Dean ASHTON
CF: Bobby ZAMORA
Bench: Jimmy WALKER, James TOMKINS, Nolberto SOLANO, Freddy SEARS, Carlton COLE
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: Glen JOHNSON
CB: Sol CAMPBELL
CB: Sylvain DISTIN
LB: Hermann HREIDARSSON
RM: Papa BOUBA DIOP
CM: Sean DAVIS
CM: Sulley MUNTARI
LM: Niko KRANJCAR
CF: Milan BAROS
CF: David NUGENT
Bench: Jamie ASHDOWN, LAUREN, Pedro MENDES, Arnold MVUEMBA, KANU
Last Time: West Ham United 1 Pompey 2
Linvoy Primus headed in identical set-pieces to deal the struggling Hammers a Boxing Day defeat on their own turf. Pompey old boy Teddy Sheringham pulled one back late on but we held out for the win.
Pundit Watch
Footy-Mad: Away Win
My Prediction: Draw (0-0)