What: Barclays Premier League
Who: West Ham United (10th, 44 pts) v Portsmouth (6th, 53 pts)
When: Monday, 7th April 2008, Kick-Off 19:45 GMT
Where: The Boleyn Ground (Upton Park), London
At Fratton Park this season, Portsmouth have failed to net a single goal on six occasions, and one of these came in October against West Ham in an encounter which saw Robert Green push away Benjani’s last minute penalty to ensure parity.
Since then, both sides have gone on to enjoy successful campaigns, respective of their ambitions. West Ham have faltered of late, with the Freddy Sears-inspired victory against Blackburn being their only victory in March. However, the groundwork of their proud league standing was sown earlier in the season.
Alan Curbishley has coped very well at times when his relatively modest resources were stretched to the very limit. He found a new dimension to his team with bit-part performers like Carlton Cole and Hayden Mullins playing consistently well in the absence of their more illustrious team-mates.
Harry Redknapp, conversely, is enjoying life at the helm of the most capable squad in his time at Fratton Park. His important signings have flourished and led Portsmouth to the higher echelons of Premier League. With an FA Cup Final in the bag, Harry has a chance to take something tangible from a hitherto successful campaign. His side face the daunting task of two games in three days as the end of season congestion begins to materialise.
Injuries and Inconsistencies
Of late, West Ham have failed to produce anything resembling steady league form. Three losses, one win and a draw have left the Hammers forlornly hanging mid-table with neither relegation to fight against nor European places to achieve.
Undue criticism has hit Alan Curbishley, a man who has done remarkably well to reverse the fortunes of the club in just over a year. Some observers of the Hammers this term have tended to believe that the team should be able to run before they walk and have expressed dismay that their league campaign seems to have faltered.
Curbishley has pointed out that only on two occasions this season he has been able to call on a full complement of players and has constantly had to do without a spate of last summers’ signings. Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer have scarcely featured while Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg would all have preferred a less stop-start season.
With that in mind, West Ham have coped admirably in one of the world’s toughest domestic leagues and have even found time to introduce academy players like Freddy Sears and James Tomkins. Dean Ashton has recently produced the type of line-leading expected of a player of his burgeoning reputation while Robert Green continues to keep goal in a manner deserving of national team reckoning - all the more impressively when one considers the ever rotating back-line in front of him.
Recent stuttering aside, the Hammers are infinitely better off this term than last, when relegation beckoned.
Eyes on Other Prizes
With Saturday’s Wembley victory, Portsmouth secured their first FA Cup Final appearances in 69 years. Allowances therefore, will need to be made if Harry Redknapp’s men have their minds elsewhere on Monday evening. Harry has overseen a stunning rise for the South Coast club - from the lower reaches of the second tier just five years ago to being on the brink of European football today.
Their current league position, sixth place, sees them behind only Everton and the “Big Four” in the Premier League reckoning - no mean feat. Stellar campaigns from the likes of Sulley Ali Muntari and Glen Johnson have been complimented by a rigid consistency away from home from the other members of Harry’s personally assembled unit.
Pompey have won eight of their away-day ties and possess a parsimonious defence and one of the league’s best goalkeepers. David James is currently in possession of the envied England number 1 shirt - much to the chagrin of the likes of Robert Green. His displays this season have been first rate - in terms of organisation, distribution and shot stopping. Behind Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin, the 37-year old has consistently provided a rigid barrier for Harry - and has been the key to a number of Pompey successes thus far.
With just one defeat in their last five games, Portsmouth have maintained their impressive form since the beginning of the season. They remain difficult to break down and capable in front of goal, Jermain Defoe in particular has taken up Benjani’s goalscoring mantle. With Harry returning to the club where he built his reputation, Pompey will be eager to compete and capitalise on the enthusiasm and expectancy of their phenomenal FA Cup run.
FORM GUIDE
West Ham
Sunderland - West Ham 2 - 129/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUEEverton - West Ham 1 - 122/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUEWest Ham - Blackburn2 - 115/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUETottenham - West Ham 4 - 009/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUELiverpool - West Ham 4 - 005/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUEWest Ham - Chelsea0 - 401/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUE
Portsmouth
West Brom - Portsmouth
0-1
05/04/2008
FA CUP
Portsmouth - Wigan Athletic2 - 029/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUETottenham - Portsmouth2 - 022/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUEPortsmouth - Aston Villa2 - 015/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUEPortsmouth - Birmingham4 - 212/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUEMan Utd. - Portsmouth0 - 108/03/2008FA CUPEverton - Portsmouth3 - 102/03/2008PREMIER LEAGUE
TEAM NEWS
West Ham
With 15 players currently sidelined, West Ham are the Premier League’s most injury-hit club by a considerable distance. Although some are rated 50/50 or better for Monday evening, the Hammers are nonetheless going to be considerably depleted.
Carlton Cole (Ankle), John Pantsil (Concussion), George McCartney (Hamstring), Freddy Sears (Hamstring) and Matthew Upson (Calf) are all facing a race to fitness before the Pompey clash; meanwhile Julien Flaubert (Calf), Danny Gabbidon (Groin), Matthew Etherington (Groin), Lee Bowyer (Groin), Craig Bellamy (Pelvis), Calum Davenport (Neck), Nigel Quashie (Ankle), James Collins (Knee) and Kieron Dyer ( Broken Leg) are all long-term absentees for Alan Curbishley’s side.
Freddie Ljungberg’s hip injury is not as bad as first presumed and intensive treatment has put the Swede into contention for a start.
Last Starting XI (v Sunderland): Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Spector, McCartney, Ljungberg, Parker, Mullins, Noble, Cole, Ashton.
Squad: Green, Walker, Neill, McCartney, Ferdinand, Tomkins, Spector, Gabbidon, Pantsil, Upson, Parker, Solano, Noble, Mullins, Ashton, Cole, Zamora, Camara, Boa Morte, Sears.
Portsmouth
Pompey will be without Noe Pamarot (Knee) and Linvoy Primus (Knee) while John Utaka (Hamstring) is doubtful. Lucien Aubey (Hamstring) looks set to miss out. After watching Hermann Henderson (Ankle) and Lassana Diarra (Hamstring) come through the FA Cup semi-final, Harry Redknapp has close to a full complement. Sulley Ali Muntari and Papa Bouba Diop are available to return from family problems and suspension respectively.
Last Starting XI (v Wigan): James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Kranjcar, Baros, Defoe.
Squad: James, Ashdown, Johnson, Campbell, Hreidarsson, Lauren, Distin, Diarra, Diop, Mendes, Kranjcar, Davis, Utaka, Mvuemba, Kanu, Baros, Utaka, Defoe.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Ham: Freddy Sears
If the youth academy graduate recovers from his hamstring strain, then expect him to play some part in this fixture. West Ham is a club world renowned for it’s conveyor-belt of talent and the Hornchurch native is the latest in an impressive series.
Sears, he of a tender 18 years, has reinvigorated Alan Curbishley’s side since he scored the winning goal just five minutes into his first team debut against Blackburn.
Another electric performance against Everton gave West Ham a shot in the arm as they look to prevent their season from petering out.
The exuberance of Sears, with his fearlessness and impudence, can provide the platform from which the Hammers can spring next season. If he plays, expect fireworks.
Portsmouth: Jermain Defoe
Denied a return to White Hart Lane due to Premier League red-tape in March, Defoe will make the trip to East London and another old stomping ground. His 29 goals in just shy of 100 appearances for the Hammers made him a folk-hero before his acrimonious transfer to Spurs in 2004.
The England international has been in the form of his life since re-commencing his relationship with Harry Redknapp at Fratton Park. He has scored eight goals in his first seven starts for Pompey and would relish another against West Ham.
PREDICTION
With Portsmouth having played West Bromwich Albion just 56 hours previously, the away side are in danger of being jaded for this fixture.
Their FA Cup semi-final win may give the side added distraction from their Premier League duties especially if Harry decided to shuffle his deck and rest key performers.
West Ham, however, will be looking to move as far away from the notorious 40-point mark as they can. Alan Curbishley has been accused of taking his foot from the pedal as his league campaigns draw to a close and will be eager to show his credentials by guiding his side to a home win.
West Ham 1-0 Portsmouth
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