Weekend Football action **Part one**

Portsmouth V Tottenham

Portsmouth
Portsmouth are having a strange year. Strange in the sense that away from home they are playing fantastic football. They are creating chance after chance and are capable of scoring goals out of nothing as Muntari’s two goals last week prove. Away from home they have scored 17 times which is by far and away the best in the league. But home tells a different story, played seven and although they are still unbeaten they have only picked up two wins, which is strange for a team in 5th place in the league. Their last 3 home games have also finished 0 – 0, another odd fact. There has been trouble off the field too with harry Redknapp making the headlines for all the wrong reasons but so far it wouldn’t appear to have affected the team. As well as Pompey have been playing the next month will determine where they will finish in the league as they will be losing Kanu, Muntari, Utaka, and Diop for the African nations cup. That’s four key players and they need to start registering 3 pointers, especially at home before the tournament begins. Throw in the fact that the next two league games are against Liverpool and Arsenal and you can see why a good result against Spurs is a must.

Team news
Harry Redknapp looks to name an unchanged side from the side that won at Aston Villa. Davis and Lauren are fit again but look likely to start on the bench. Crainie and Primus are both out. Kanu is getting near match fitness and is another boost to the squad.


Tottenham
It’s been a long season for Spurs fans. Pre season they were tipped to finally break into the top four and finally get the better of Arsenal but it hasn’t happened for them yet. One clean sheet (against Wigan) from 16 matches says it all really and they have been forced to attack all out in a bid to win games. To give them a bit of credit most of their games have been associated with goals so entertainment wise they have been good. But betting wise they are just too erratic to be considered bankers in any game. Last weeks 3 –2 reverse to Birmingham is evidence of this. Without Ledley King, Tottenham always look vulnerable at the back and unfortunately Paul Robinson is having a season to forget so far. They are still winless on the road but have managed to hit the net in their last 6 away games which has given them a fighting chance of getting a result. However it is still that weak defence that comes back to haunt them.

Team news
Gareth Bale and Rocha are absent through injury. Ledley King (knee), Anthony Gardner (ankle), and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are also out, while Robbie Keane is suspended for the 2nd of his 3 match punishment

Verdict
The home form has to kick in at some stage for Portsmouth. They have two tough upcoming games so they should be very keen to take the 3 points here. However that poor home record is stopping me from being too confident on backing them. Tottenham are very inconsistent and their games often include bizarre unexpected events, they are well capable of scoring and have a lot of attacking options in the form of Jenas, Malbranque, Lennon, Bent, Berbatov and Defoe. Id give a slight advantage to Pompey here but the value bet for me has to be both teams to score, which is 1.73 @ bet365

PICKS
Portsmouth V Tottenham, both teams to score (1.73 @ bet365) 5 points

More Picks to follow