It seems Chelsea FC always draw Championship sides at home in the FA Cup third round, and this year didn’t disappoint as Andre Villas-Boas manages his debut FA Cup match against Portsmouth.
Chelsea won their previous match away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, but their last home match was a very disappointing 3-1 loss to Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Portsmouth have collected four points in their last three matches, starting with a 1-0 loss to Millwall before picking up a point away to Leicester City. And finally, Michael Appleton’s side started 2012 with a 2-0 victory against Watford, with tall striker Marko Futacs grabbing his second goal in as many games.
Key Pompey players
Portsmouth have a handful of highly capped internationals with many of them previously playing in the Premier League. Former Blackburn Rovers defender Aaron Mokoena partners ex Blues and Bolton Wanderers centre back Tal Ben Haim, whilst Liam Lawrence and Hayden Mullins are a key duo in midfield. Upfront is on form Futacs as well as former Reading forward Dave Kitson, Arsenal legend Kanu and hot-shot Benjani.
Potential Chelsea line-up: 4-3-2-1
Turnbull, Ferreira, Luiz, Terry, Bertrand, Obi-Mikel, McEachran, Lampard, Malouda, Sturridge, Lukaku.
Subs: Cech, Chalobah, Bosingwa, Romeu, Meireles, Kakuta, Torres.
Chelsea Portsmouth
Top scorer (league): Daniel Sturridge (9) David Norris (5)
Last match: WIN 1-2 Wolves WIN 2-0 Watford
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Portsmouth
First goal scorer: Florent Malouda
Last meeting: Portsmouth 0-1 Chelsea – Friendly 2011
Aaron Aquilina
@P_D_L_P
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