Portsmouth vs Newcastle - Match Preview

Friday April 11th, 2008 by Ed Harrison· 28 Comments

Tomorrow’s game has the elements of being a classic game of attacking football from both sides.

Of course Newcastle will be trying to make it 4 wins in a row and will have a stern test at Fratton Park.

They will also be trying to level the score with getting walloped 4-1 at St. James’ Park last November, when as we all know, we conceded 3 goals in the first 11 minutes and Cacapa was replaced after just 16 minutes, in a tactical move. That was to save Claudio further embarrassment.

Portsmouth are playing at home for the first time since reaching the FA Cup Final be beating West Bromwich 1-0 and also beating West Ham United on Tuesday night at Upton Park, so in a lot of ways they will be welcome by the Pompey fans as conquering heroes.

We expect Keegan to send in an unchanged side against Portsmouth tomorrow, with perhaps Steven Taylor regaining his place in central defense at the expense of David Edgar.

Harper
Beye Faye Taylor Enrique
Geremi Barton Butt
Martins Viduka Owen
Subs: Forster Edgar Smith N’Zogbia Carroll

We think it will be important tomorrow for Newcastle to start off fast. Last week against Reading they were very sluggish, and a better team like Portsmouth, will take advantage of any sloppy play early in the game.

Newcastle’s defense will need to be on form and if we can produce the overall form we showed against Tottenham at White Hart Lane a couple of weeks ago, we’ll have a good chance of capturing all 3 points.

But if we play like we did last week, especially in the first half, that 4th successive win may prove elusive.

But the bottom line is we are looking forward to a good game, and with a little bit of luck, we can capture all 3 points tomorrow.

What do you think?

Comments very welcome.

Tags: Newcastle News · Match Preview

28 responses so far ↓

1 Tom4NUFC // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:17

2-1 the toon,
Owen, Martins,Defoe,
2 daiv // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:34

A draw. Every team outside top 4 would be happy with a draw at Portsmouth. I worry that if we win a couple more games, some of us might think we can win the Prem next season. We are a mid table team with the players we have got now.
3 richie // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:39

maybe so but that front 3 would b fit to be a title challenging team,u think not?
4 Kevin // Apr 11, 2008 at 23:29

Yes Richie but we need to add support to help out those front three. We won’t score 3 every match.
This weekend’s match is winnable - and who would have thought that just two months ago - but we can honestly say - not just a wish for luck - but honestly say that if we play up to our potential we’ll take the three points.

But I second daiv with saying a draw looks like a fair result. 1-1 with oba and defoe to score.
5 Hilly // Apr 11, 2008 at 23:41

I agree with a 1-1 draw and the fact that any hopes of getting into Europe rest solely upon the midfielders that we can bring in this summer. Our defense is getting better, but can also use help.

Beye for Newcastle player of the year!
6 Leo // Apr 11, 2008 at 23:47

a draw will be good, but if we loose i will not be suicidal to be honest. its a tough test and im looking forward to watching it
7 Toooooooooooooooooon // Apr 12, 2008 at 0:42

a draw is fine, i dont expect us to win…pompey is a good team at home. i m being pessimistic
8 DC Magpie // Apr 12, 2008 at 3:11

3-1 to the toon. With Owen, Barton and Tayls to get on the score sheet.

Talk about going out on a limb (c:
9 Tripp // Apr 12, 2008 at 3:36

Will take a draw, but would love a win. I just wanna see the side continue to play with guts and determination. If we lose in the process, it won’t be the end of the world. Would love to nick 10th from Hammers though. failing that finishing above spuds would be an excellent consolation prize.

Roll on tomorrow.
10 Jinal // Apr 12, 2008 at 6:26

Cacapa is going to get a run in
11 Guinea Mag // Apr 12, 2008 at 7:55

The games winable, although a draw will not be a bad result…..

Let’s hope we keep the winning run ongoing as confidence breads confidence and may help us to buy 4 to 5 decent players in the summer.
12 bobby ollox // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:05

Its a draw - Portsmouth not bothered - eye on the cup final, which they gotta think they can win and get into europe. We arent good enough yet to break them down in their own backyard.
13 bobby ollox // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:07

I’m afraid we are in for a hammering in this match - old ‘appy ‘arry has got something to prove to the world about ‘his’ decision to stay at portsmouth - he will have his players riled up from the start
14 bobby ollox // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:09

This is ours for the taking - we are on a wave of confidence, finally got some stability in the team selection, and the result is that our defense is coming together, and our strikers look sharp - the word team suddenly means something here.
Away win written all over it.
15 Hammy // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:53

Hmmmn, you feeling o.k there Bobby…..that looks like 3 different predictions or are you just covering yourself.
Away win by the odd goal.
16 bobby ollox // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:21

I feel pretty confident about my predictions - at least one of them will come in.

…… unless its abandoned..
17 ronaldeano // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:22

I agree with your 3rd prediction Bobbyollox!
18 carabay // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:24

im somali
im spportere newcastle utd fc today game nufc vs popey 2 -1 win ton nufc magpies owen viduku owen
19 Gloryhunter // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:31

I’m off to the offy. I want what Bobby’s been drinking.
20 Leo // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:57

haha jenial that would be funny if he wasnt injured
21 Toon Al // Apr 12, 2008 at 10:16

todays games gonna be hard like, pompy’ve won every game in 2008 bar a draw v chelsea, a draw would be a good result, but i feel if we score it’l be a case of the flood gates openin, our heads dont drop wen we concede anymore and wen we do score we go into overdrive..

good game ahead, howay the lads
22 Leo // Apr 12, 2008 at 10:17

anyone seen the article on sky sports today? stating that we would be open to charlie leaving, all the info is republished from when keegan arrived, they are trying to destabalise us before a game, how bad are these people.

here a link to it

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_3413612,00.html
23 hanzemre // Apr 12, 2008 at 10:18

we gonna win this 2-1, sorry to Harry.
24 toonfan1 // Apr 12, 2008 at 10:20

yh i saw this story leo. its a shame we are going to lose him but if he doesnt want to stay let him go i say
25 CRAIGG // Apr 12, 2008 at 12:01

N’Zogbia is going the Olivier Bernard route to mediocrity, enjoy it son its all down hill from here
26 tian // Apr 12, 2008 at 12:23

5-0 to magpies. all 5 to harper.
27 Steve // Apr 12, 2008 at 12:54

We can win here but I will take a draw, as long as there are some goals. I think we can score 2 or 3. Pompey have drawn as many at home as they’ve won, 7. They’ve only lost twice. This game is there for the taking, no doubt about it.

Ed I think in light of the N’Zogbia whinge, Duff will make the bench.
28 Ross // Apr 12, 2008 at 12:58

speaking of harper and scoring
i was speaking to a rangers fan a few days ago who was telling me how he loved newcastle after we put steve harper outfield against celtic. said it was one of the funniest things he’d ever seen and he loved how we had a gk in a playmaker role to set up a goal and we’d put four past them.
anyone remember that?
was just last year, he had me laughing the way he spoke about it, very funny.