Portsmouth v Barnsley Preview

Both of these sides were tipped to struggle at the start of the campaign and as it stands, neither is yet safe. However, with Barnsley now on forty one points, it would take a disastrous run of form to see them relegated. Portsmouth meanwhile have a little more to do and with the Fratton Park outfit on a total of thirty five points, they are certainly still looking over their shoulder.

Portsmouth’s season has most definitely been an interesting one, full of ups and downs. After an absolute horror show of a start, Steve Cotterill’s men did have something of a purple patch and there was talk that they could even sneak their way up to the playoffs. However, they’ve slipped back a little now and with the club currently sat in 18th spot, there primary aim is to avoid relegation. Their form of late hasn’t been the best and having lost five of their last eight, they are seemingly a club in decline. On a more positive note, Pompey did manage victory over Doncaster in their last outing and that should at least provide them with some confidence as they approach this game.

Barnsley on the other hand have enjoyed a superb season by their standards and while it appears highly unlikely for the Tykes to challenge for a top six place, their supporters will still be absolutely delighted with the way this season has turned out. The club are currently sat in 14th position and with eleven points separating them from the bottom three, those pre-season predictions of a relegation struggle appear to have dispersed. Of course, a mid-table position brings inconsistency and that is obvious from Barnsley’s last six games which has seen them win two, lose two and draw two. However, having rescued a point in the last kick of the game against Ipswich last weekend, they will have given their confidence a huge boost.

As for team news, Portsmouth are hoping to include David Cotterill if his transfer from Swansea is completed in time. Elsewhere, Jonathon Hogg won’t be featuring due to suspension, but Steve Cotterill will have Aaron Mokoena back in contention after his work permit was renewed. Barnsley meanwhile are tipped to name a new signing of their own after signing Paul McShane on loan from Hull during the week. McShane will replace the injured Stephen Foster, while the Tykes will also be without Hugo Colace who picked up an injury in training and is expected to miss the next month.

As for a prediction, we’re going to go for the draw. Portsmouth may hold the home advantage, but their recent form isn’t the best and we think Barnsley will be good value for a point 2-2.

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Portsmouth v Burnley Preview

This game features two sides who were plying their trade in the Premiership last season; although ambitions of a swift return appear to be slim at best. While they have overcome their miserable start to the campaign, Portsmouth are still languishing in the lower regions of the table while opponents Burnley occupy a mid-table place position.

Many bookmakers stopped taking bets on Portsmouth being relegated just before the season began, with many believing that their severe financial problems would get in the way of any sort of form on the pitch. On that basis, their supporters should be delighted with the season so far, with the Fratton Park outfit currently sat in 18th position

Derby v Portsmouth Preview

This is one game that should be excellent for the neutral, with both of these sides in fantastic form of late. Both endured disastrous starts to the season yet they have put some excellent results together over recent weeks and as it stands Derby sit in 7th spot while Portsmouth are in 10th. Both have the exact same number of points and know that victory could result in them jumping into the top six.

Derby’s start to the season made many people think that the Rams would be heading for their usual campaign

Portsmouth v Nottingham Forest Preview

Posted on October 30th, 2010 in English Championship

This promises to be one of the more exciting fixtures of the weekend as a reformed Portsmouth side take on Nottingham Forest. There were doubts last week that Portsmouth would see out the season, with major financial problems threatening their survival. However, those now appear to have been resolved and Pompey can concentrate on building on the great form they’ve put together over the past few weeks. Nottingham Forest on the other hand have been steady all season and with the City Ground outfit in 10th, Billy Davies will see potential for his side to challenge the top six.

Portsmouth’s season can be described as nothing but a rollercoaster and having only picked up their first win well over a month and a half into the season, it would be fair to say their start was nothing short of disastrous. However, Steve Cotterill’s men have completely turned their campaign around in recent weeks and they are now one of the in-form teams of the division. They have won five out of their last six propelling them right the way up into 13th and the optimists must be hoping for a playoff push in the next few weeks. Of course, it could have been so different after this time last week the Fratton Park outfit were faced with a winding up order. Fortunately, all of the financial issues appear to be resolved, but the very fact Portsmouth are still alive is a miracle considering their vast debts.

Nottingham Forest were another side who didn’t enjoy the best of starts to the season, yet Billy Davies’ men also look to have put that behind them and they’ll also be targeting a top six push. Forest sit a few places above Portsmouth in 10th position and with just two points separating them from 6th, it looks as though their season is well and truly back on track. They come into this game having lost just once in their last twelve league games, as well as recording consecutive victories in their last two. It would be fair to say that Davies’ side are a much different prospect to last season and the fact they’ve drawn an incredible seven games already shows just how hard they are to beat.

Steve Cotterill could hand a start to Ricardo Rocha after the Portuguese defender missed Pompey’s last game with Hull due to a hamstring problem. However, Hermann Hreidarsson is unlikely to start although the veteran might be able to scrape a place on the bench as he slowly recovers from his long term injury. As for Nottingham Forest, Billy Davies is likely to throw Ryan Bertrand back into the starting eleven after the defender missed their last game through suspension. Both Rob Earnshaw and Nathan Tyson are huge doubts though as injuries hinder them though.

There’s no doubting that it takes a lot to beat Nottingham Forest these days, but we think Portsmouth have a great chance here. Pompey are in superb form at the moment and as they hold the home advantage, we’ll predict a narrow 1-0 victory for Steve Cotterill’s side.

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