These are worrying times for Pearce, and the arrival of a confident Portsmouth side is not what he would have wanted. I'm immediately looking at Portsmouth getting something from this game. On the asian handicap, there is not much between the sides with Pompey +0.25 only, so I think the handicap betting of +1 on Portsmouth @ 4/6 with SportingOdds should be taken. Pompey have some good players in key defensive positions, David James in goal, who will have something to prove to his old fans, and Sol Campbell at the back. I think it could be very hard for a Man City team who are lacking some creative flare players.

Both Pompey strikers scored on the weekend, Todorov and Kanu, and I think they should be able to do enough against a looking Man City side looking a little short on confidence and with a key player Distin in defence, who wants to leave. Pompey should manage to get a draw, which will be enough to make our bet a winner.