- Jul 27, 2004
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We head to Fratton Park of the back of a hard earned win over Man City and we need to start putting a run of consecutive wins to start moving up the league with us being 15 point behind Portsmouth in 5th and with Robbie Keane still out we need to hope that whoever starts with Berbatov has it in them to bang a couple of goals.
The Official Site Team News:
It's a case of as we were on the injury front as Juande Ramos prepares for the trip to Portsmouth on Saturday.
Anthony Gardner (ankle), Gareth Bale (foot) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto remain out while both Ledley King and Ricardo Rocha are approaching match fitness after injury, but still unlikely to be involved at Fratton Park.
Head Coach Juande has been pleased with Ledley’s progress since the skipper returned to action after a lengthy lay-off with 45 minutes of a reserve game at Portsmouth. “He’s getting better week by week and I’m happy with how he’s progressing. He’s had no setbacks and we just have to make sure he’s ready to play.”
Skysports.com Preview:
Portsmouth will be looking to translate their away form to Fratton Park as Tottenham Hotspur make the trip to the South Coast on Saturday.
Though Pompey are unbeaten at fortress Fratton Park in the league this season, Harry Redknapp's side have won only two of their seven home games.
The last three have all finished 0-0 - a stark contrast to the team's six-game winning streak on their travels.
Redknapp is in a position to name an unchanged team, meaning Sean Davis could miss out against his former club.
Davis has sat out the last two games with a hamstring problem, but is available, despite skipping a day's training through sickness.
However, Pedro Mendes has impressed of late and could be given the chance of an extended run in the side.
Glen Johnson also missed training in the week due to illness, but should be okay to start at right-back.
Lauren is available after a hamstring problem and goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown is likely to return on the bench after an ankle injury.
Spurs news
Spurs have yet to win on the road this season, but have drawn 1-1 at Middlesbrough and West Ham United in their last two away games.
Juande Ramos must decide whether to stick with the team which beat Manchester City 2-1 last week as he has no fresh injury problems to contend with.
With Robbie Keane suspended, Ramos will choose between Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe as the strike partner for Dimitar Berbatov.
Bent started against City last week, but Defoe came off the bench to score the winner and will hope to be rewarded with a starting role.
Defence continues to be a concern for Ramos, who is still without Anthony Gardner (ankle), Gareth Bale (foot) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee).
Captain Ledley King and Ricardo Rocha have featured for the reserves of late, but are not being rushed back into first-team action.
That means Younes Kaboul is likely to partner Michael Dawson in the centre again, with Pascal Chimbonda and Lee Young-pyo the full-backs.
BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):
Tottenham Squad (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Lee, Stalteri, Dawson, Kaboul, Zokora, Jenas, Huddlestone, Malbranque, Lennon, Bent, Berbatov, Defoe, Tainio, Boateng, Taarabt.
Portsmouth Squad (from): James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Pamarot, Utaka, Pedro Mendes, Diop, Muntari, Kranjcar, Benjani, Kanu, Davis, Nugent, Lauren, Taylor, Hreidarsson, Ashdown.
Interesting Stats:
Spurs
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 12th
Lowest could fall: 18th
Won two, drawn two and lost one of five Premier League matches under Juande Ramos.
Beat Manchester City 2-1 at White Hart Lane last time out, but not registered successive Premier League victories in 18 outings since Middlesbrough and Charlton were defeated away from home on 28 April and 7 May respectively.
Scored in each of the last 12 league games since the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on 26 August; their only blank in 15 league outings.
Managed just one clean sheet in 13 league games (v Wigan).
Not been involved in a goalless draw in the Premier League since the away match with Watford on 28 October 2006.
Portsmouth
The only club to have won every Premier League game in which they've scored first this season; seven of seven.
Unbeaten in 11 Premier League matches; won seven and drawn four since the 3-1 loss, away to Arsenal, on 2 September.
Lost one of 13 in all competitions.
Five points better off than at this same stage last season, which was then their previous best in the Premier League.
Kept clean sheets in six of the last eight league games; conceding two goals in the 12 hours of Premier League football.
Lineup:
Subs: Cerny, Tainio, Stalteri, Defoe, O'Hara
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Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, kick off is at 15:00 GMT - check [thread=24136]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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