Arsenal\'s hopes of being a serious threat in the Premier League title race soared with their impressive victory over Aston Villa on Sunday but the win came at a cost with captain Cesc Fabregas suffering a recurrence of his hamstring problem. Portsmouth have won three of their last four home games but could be forced to make do without England goalkeeper David James again.

Quick Check

Portsmouth

  • Goalkeeper David James could finally return after a calf injury and virus.
  • Portsmouth have won their last two home games in the Premier League.
  • Pompey have won three of their last five league matches, keeping clean sheets in all of them.
  • Boateng, Belhadj, Yebda, Utaka, Kanu and Dindane are all available for the final time in the league before leaving for the African Cup of Nations.
  • Pompey have not beaten Arsenal since 1958.
  • Portsmouth have scored only two goals in their last six meetings with the Gunners.

Arsenal

  • Arsenal have scored six goals without conceding in their last two matches.
  • The Gunners have won four of the last five meetings between the two sides.
  • Abou Diaby scored twice when the Gunners beat Portsmouth 4-1 earlier this season.
  • Diaby is aiming to score for the third game running.
  • Arsenal have taken 13 points from 15 since losing to Chelsea at the end of last month.
  • Captain Cesc Fabregas will miss the game after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem.
  • Striker Robin van Persie is out for at least another four months after ankle surgery.
  • Midfielder Tomas Rosicky will be sidelined for another fortnight with groin trouble.
  • Left backs Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs are ruled out by long-term back and foot injuries.
  • Nicklas Bendtner is out until the new year with a groin problem.

Expert Advice

Arsenal have a great record against Portsmouth both home and away in recent years and it\'s difficult not to see that continuing at Fratton Park. The Gunners have overcome the disappoint of losing key players to put together an impressive run over the last month and their brand of fast flowing football should cause all sorts of problems to the bottom team. The loss of Cesc Fabregas will be a blow but midfielder Abou Diaby\'s return to full fitness and goalscoring form will help cancel that out. Pompey\'s performances have been much improved in the last six weeks, especially at Fratton Park, but whether they can seriously threaten the visitors is highly debatable and Betsson\'s odds of 2.31 for an away win by two goals or more appears a sound bet.

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