Hoping to be fit

By Tiger Tim
November 21 2008

Hull travel to Portsmouth this weekend looking for their 1st win in 4 games.Hull have lost 3 of their previous 4 and drew last time out at home to Manchester City. Hull however have won 4 away games this season. Portsmouth go into the game having drew 0--0 with West Ham last weekend. Portsmouth home form isn't great however having only won 3 of 7 home so far this season. Team News

Hull have doubts over Striker Daniel Cousin who has a knee injury and Andy Dawson is still doubtful and rated 50/50. Dean Windass and Stelios are both in the squad for Saturday.

Portsmouth Sol Campbell has a toe injury and is joined on the sidelines by midfield duo Lassana Diarra and Niko Kranjcar both of whom have ankle problems. Jermaine Defo is also doubtful with a  Thigh strain.

Manager views

Phil Brown

"They have well and truly established themselves in the Premier League. I go back to the days when Bolton were promoted and Portsmouth were still around 12th or 13th in the Championship.

"They've come a long way and there has been a lot of sound investment at the club. There's been one or two changes in management and now Tony Adams is at the helm.

"He'll be trying to get that first win at Fratton Park under his belt to get himself up and running. We've got to stand in the way of that.

"We're three games into the second batch of ten and we've only got one point from those three games, although we've played well enough in them (to get more).

"It's all about points in the Premier League. Our next two games are fairly tricky and they pose a different type of problem.

"I'm not saying they don't play football, but they are capable of being physical against you.

"But it's one game at a time and Portsmouth have been trying to play good football and they are a force at home."

Tony Adams

"They've done fantastically well and Geovanni's obviously a quality player who needed time to settle into the game here.

"Hull have worked extremely hard and deserve the points they've got. They've spent some money and their position in the table doesn't lie. They are showing that clubs who use the little cash-injection they get when they come up can stay up."

HEAD 2 HEAD

Portsmouth have not lost to Hull in five meetings, and have won the last three.

The last time Pompey entertained the Tigers on New Years Day 1991, the Fratton Park club won 5-1 in the old Second Division.

Hull have not beaten Portsmouth for 20 years, since a 1-3 triumph on the south coast on 17 September 1988 at second league level.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Portsmouth 16 wins, Hull 11, Draws 15
Prem: Portsmouth 0 wins, Hull 0, Draws 0

at Portsmouth only
League (inc PL): Portsmouth 9 wins, Hull 3, Draws 9
Prem: Portsmouth 0 wins, Hull 0, Draws 0


Likely line ups

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Pamarot, Utaka, Diop, Davis, Belhadj, Defoe, Crouch.

Hull City: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, McShane, Geovanni, Ashbee, Boateng, Marney, King, Folan.

Referee Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

Venue: Fratton Park Date: Saturday, 22 November Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Updates on BBC Sport website, commentary BBC Radio Humberside & highlights on Match of the Day. Updates also on Skysports.com as well as on soccer Saturday.