Portsmouth gave Stoke a 4-0 beating in the Carling Cup last month but Potters boss Tony Pulis rested a lot of first-team players on that occasion and expect a much closer game this time. Stoke will be anxious to bounce back quickly after their defeat at Hull against a Pompey side who could climb off the bottom of the table with victory at the Britannia Stadium.

Quick Check

Stoke City

  • Midfielder Salif Diao is hoping to return after a groin strain.
  • James Beattie scored both goals in Stoke’s 2-2 draw against Portsmouth in February.
  • Striker Ricardo Fuller will be eager to impress against his former club.
  • Defender Abdoulaye Faye is missing as he serves a one-match ban.
  • Mamady Sidibe is struggling after a recurrence of a long-term hamstring problem.
  • Stoke have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight games.

Portsmouth

  • Hermann Hreidarsson and Papa Bouba Diop are hoping to figure for the first time in six weeks after injury.
  • England star David James is expected to play despite a knee injury.
  • Steve Finnan is available again after an abdominal problem.
  • Portsmouth beat Stoke 4-0 in the Carling Cup earlier in the season.
  • Paul Hart’s side has kept four clean sheets in six games in all competitions.
  • Pompey are unbeaten against Stoke in their last five meetings in all competitions.
  • Portsmouth have managed just four points from six games on the road this season.
  • The south coast team are the Premier League’s joint-lowest scorers away from home with three goals this term.

Expert Advice

Stoke have proved to be tough opponents to beat at home since being promoted to the Premier League and Tony Pulis will have high hopes of registering a fourth win of the season at the Britannia Stadium. Striker James Beattie has a great scoring record against Portsmouth and will be keen to add to his personal goal tally, but the Potters have developed a habit of conceding goals in the last six weeks and this is something they will be keen to address. After their dismal start to the campaign, Portsmouth have improved beyond all measure but they are still struggling to score goals away from home and, with this in mind, Betsson’s price of 3.55 for a home win by two goals looks a value bet.

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