Newcastle entertain Portsmouth tomorrow at St. James’ Park and a win is what every Newcastle fan is looking for, after last week’s awful capitulation at Reading.
But Pompey have shown tremendous away form this season and have won their last 4 away games. On the other hand Newcastle have won their last 4 home games so it should be quite a game, and a test between a good home side against a good away side.
Newcastle have not managed a clean sheet in their last 7 games but Pompey have kept five clean sheets in six and have not conceded in 270 minutes of Premier League football, and not even in the last 301 minutes on the road. Seems to us it’s time that record was broken. 😀
On Newcastle’s side is history since Newcastle always seem to do well against Portsmouth at home having won 11 of their last 13 meetings. In their last 23 meeting at Newcastle, the home side have won 19 and drawn 4. You have to go back 58 years, since Portsmouth won at St. James, when they triumphed 3-1 back on 20 August 1949. And yes, you’re right, it’s not a good time to break that record. 😀
Portsmouth have 10 points from their 6 away games in the league this season, with a positive goal difference of 2. There’s little doubt they play well away from Fratton Park. They are also 2 points above Newcastle on 19 points in the league so a Newcastle win will catapult Newcastle above Portsmouth. Certainly, after reading the Portsmouth web site they are looking for all 3 points at Newcastle, so we should be assured of a good attacking game from both sides.
Newcastle defender Abdoulaye Faye has been passed fit despite being taken ill and withdrawn during last week’s woeful 2-1 defeat at Reading. But striker Mark Viduka (calf), winger Damien Duff (ankle) and defender Stephen Carr (hamstring) are still out and unavailable for selection.
Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari and left-back Hermann Hreidarsson are set to be missing again when their team makes the journey to St James’ Park. Muntari is struggling with a hamstring problem and Hreidarsson faces more treatment on a torn groin muscle.
We think Newcastle can win this game but it will be tough and we don’t think we’ll even keep a clean sheet. We think we can win the game 3-1, and if we can do that, we’ll move nicely up the league. It’s anybody’s guess as to the team big Sam will select but we’d like to see this attacking team for tomorrow. Let us know what you think the team will be – but one thing is for sure, and that’s Newcastle’s bench will be very strong.
You can also comment on the game, the team and the result on our Newcastle United Forum.
Comments always welcome – and that goes for Portsmouth fans too – let us have your perspective on the game.
Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Beye, Enrique, Rozehnal, Taylor, Cacapa, Faye, Milner, Geremi, Butt, Emre, N’Zogbia, Barton, Smith, Pattison, Martins, Owen, Ameobi.
Portsmouth (from): James, Ashdown, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Taylor, Utaka, Diop, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Kranjcar, Benjani, Kanu, Pamarot, Lauren, Nugent, Traore, Muntari.
9 comments so far
Leo
Nov 2, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Comment #1its going to be 3-0 to the toon im tellin you all.
thesilverbck
Nov 2, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Comment #24-0 to newcastle n im telling u lol
Ed Harrison
Nov 2, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Comment #3thesilverbck – hope you’re right 😀
Ed Harrison
Nov 2, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Comment #43-0 not too bad either Leo.
Ed Harrison
Nov 2, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Comment #5I’ll take the win – with any score 😀
indian toon
Nov 2, 2007 at 2:06 PM
Comment #6i ll take anything with a clean sheet,,,:)
Dunc
Nov 2, 2007 at 2:53 PM
Comment #72-2 I’m thinkin, exciting game though
briss
Nov 2, 2007 at 3:30 PM
Comment #8im hopeing roz starts instead of cacapa, especially if big sam is being fair to all the players since he benched taylor and roz for their performances at man city. but either way 2-0 will be the score to the TOON
shaun
Nov 3, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Comment #9NUFC
Formation: 4-4-2
GK: Given
RB: Beye
RCB: Cacapa
LCB: Rozehnal
LB: Enrique
CDM: Butt
RWM: Milner
CM: Barton
LM: Emre
RS: Owen
LS: Martins
Subs:
GK: Harper
CB: Faye or Taylor
RM: Geremi
LM: N’Zogbia
ST: Smith or Ameobi
I think newcastle will win 3 – 1. but pompey will be attacking with a lot of fire.