Portsmouth (A) Match Preview

Reading travel to Fratton Park on the back of a fantastic victory against big spending Leicester, while Portsmouth are recovering from a south coast derby loss to Brighton.

Vital Quotes:

Pompey manager Steve Cotterill – ‘Their side [Reading] have been together now for a long while – the staff, the players, everyone.It`s good when you can go from season to season and not have to work on the tactical side because they already know it. It`s always a joy – and Reading have done it very, very well for me. They have done it for years.’

Reading boss Brian McDermott – ‘It’s a good place to go and play, there will be a great atmosphere, I am sure we will bring a lot of fans, we want to go and give a good performance and get the right outcome.’

Portsmouth Team News:

New signing Jason Pearce is set to be available for selection after serving a suspension. Benjani is set to take part in some shape or form.

Possible Pompey line-up: Ashdown, Halford, Pearce, Hreidarsson, Ben-Haim, Ward, Norris, Lawrence, Mullins, Varney, Benjani

Player to watch: Benjani

The Zimbabwean striker has returned to his old stamping ground on a free transfer and has always proved a bit of a bogey player for the Royals.

Reading Team News:

Midfielder Jay Tabb is now ready for selection after serving his two-match ban and is set for a place on the bench. Simon Church is still not fit due to a thigh injury, while Shaun Cummings is also sidelined.

Possible Reading line-up: Federici, Griffin, Pearce, Khumalo, Harte, Kebe, Karacan, Leigertwood, Mcanuff, Hunt, Manset

Player to watch: Noel Hunt

The fox-in-the-box is near enough match fit and got himself on the scoresheet last week against Leicester. Will be sure to cause the Pompey defence some problems.

Match Prediction:

I’m going to go for a 1-1 draw. Will be a good, end-to-end game with both defences having to be on top form.

Next Fixtures:

Reading – Barnsley (H) Sat 20th August

Portsmouth – Bristol City (A) Sat 20th August