League Cup Preview: Portsmouth - Stoke City

Pompey look to remedy poor form against mid-table Stoke City.

Oct 26, 2009 6:47:22 PM

More On :  Portsmouth, Stoke
Frederic Piquionne, Portsmouth (Getty Images)
Kick-off: Tuesday, October 24, 2009 - 19:45 GMT
Fratton Park, Portsmouth

A midweek League Cup win could be just the prompter that Portsmouth need in order to turnaround their fortunes this season.

Paul Hart's outfit are languishing at the depths of the Premier League, and their home form has been particularly problematic, as their points in the league have all arrived on their travels.
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Pompey were unable to take advantage of a potential six-pointer at the weekend, recording a disappointing 0-0 draw against fellow relegation-threatened side Hull City.

Meanwhile, Stoke City have lost just once away from home and will be in a confident mood following their weekend win over high-flying and in-form Tottenham Hotspur.

However, their form at Fratton Park has been distinctly unprofitable as they have not found a win on the south coast for 15 years.

Stoke defeated Blackpool in a seven-goal thriller at the Britannia Stadium in order to book their passage to the fourth round, while Portsmouth secured victory against League Two side Hereford.

FORM GUIDE

Portsmouth

Hull City 0 - 0 Portsmouth
Portsmouth 1 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 - 0 Portsmouth
Portsmouth 0 - 1 Everton
Carlisle Utd 1 - 3 Portsmouth

Stoke City

Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 1 Stoke
Stoke 2 - 1 West Ham United
Everton 1 - 1 Stoke
Stoke 0 - 2 Manchester United
Stoke 4 - 3 Blackpool

TEAM NEWS

Portsmouth

Linvoy Primus is out of action with an ankle injury. Hermann Hreidarsson is sidelined with a similar problem and he will miss this League Cup tie, but may be available for the weekend.

Last Starting XI (Hull City 4-1-3-2): James, Finnan, Kaboul, Wilson, Ben Haim, Mokoena, Yebda, Boateng, O'Hara, Smith, Dindane.

Stoke City

Amdy Faye, the only notable absentee, is a long-term casualty due to a back injury.

Mamady Sidibe could be in line to make his highly-anticipated comeback after seven months on the sidelines.

Last Starting XI (Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Simonsen, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Faye, Collins, Delap, Whitehead, Diao, Etherington, Beattie, Fuller.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portsmouth

The form of Kevin-Prince Boateng has attracted widespread praise from his team-mates. The talented 22-year-old has struck twice in five appearances, and has been hailed as a "talisman" from midfield.

Stoke City

The partnership between Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie has been profitable in the past, and Beattie will be hoping to embark on a goal-scoring streak after recently halting his barren run.

PREDICTION

Portsmouth 0 - 2 Stoke City
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