English FA CUP
2008-05-17 - Portsmouth vs Cardiff City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
English FA Cup Final
Wembley
Saturday 17th may 2008 - KO 15:00
PORTSMOUTH
Portsmouth have a huge opportunity to gain a place in the UEFA Cup for next season and win their first FA Cup since 1939 in this match.
Harry Redknapp would also be enjoying his finest season as a manager as he helped Portsmouth to 8th spot in the Premier League and the potential to win his first silverware as a manager. They finished their season with a 16-9-13 record where they scored 48 goals and conceded 40.
However, they secured more wins away from home than they did at Fratton Park. In fact, only Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal won more away games than Pompey this season.
Portsmouth lost their last 4 league games of the season and I feel that may be more to do with their players looking forward to a Cup Final appearance rather than an indication of how they will play here. It might be concerning that Pompey have only scored 2 goals in their last 6 games since securing their place at Wembley.
Portsmouth have already knocked out 4 Championship sides on their way to making this final. They beat Ipswich away in round 3, Plymouth at home in round 4 and then Preston away in round 5 before beating West Brom at Wembley last month.
However, to say they had it easy this year would brush over the fact they beat a strong Manchester United side at Old Trafford in the Quarter Finals, albeit with some luck.
Probable Line Up: James, Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Hreidarsson, Diarra, Diop, Muntari, Kranjcar, Baros and Kanu
CARDIFF CITY
Cardiff City have their chance of winning this trophy for the first time since 1927, but will be underdogs coming into the match.
They have not really fallen apart in the same way Portsmouth did towards the end of season but will be disappointed that they failed to make the playoffs after a promising start to their season.
Cardiff finished with a 16-14-14 record in the league, scoring 59 goals and conceding 55. They did struggle away from home when it came to wins but only lost 7 of their 23 games away.
Cardiff have gone 2-2-2 since securing their place in the final. They have only kept 1 clean sheet in those games and conceded 3 goals in 3 of their last 4 games. However, they have shown their prowess in front of goal too and have scored 12 goals in their last 6 games.
Cardiff have not had the hardest path to the final this season with only 1 game against Premier League opposition, although that was a fabulous 0-2 win at Middlesbrough in the Quarter Finals.
Other than that one game, Cardiff beat non league Chasetown in round 3, League 2 Hereford in round 4, Wolves at home in round 5 from the Championship, and then reached the final by beating Championship's Barnsley at Wembley.
Probable Line Up: Enckleman, McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi, Whittingham, McPhail, Rae, Ledley, Parry and Hasselbaink
HEAD TO HEAD
The 2 sides have not met since the 2004/05 season when Portsmouth beat Cardiff and Ninian Park in the Carling Cup.
PREDICTION :
Looking at the game as a whole, I feel Portsmouth have the edge when it comes to the defence and goalkeeper. They have the experience required to win these types of games and the experience of playing in such an occasion.
The midfield also sees Portsmouth have the edge as it is packed with internationals whereas Cardiff have players on the fringe of international recognition.
Cardiff do have a little edge up front I feel, as Portsmouth's duo have struggled for goals without Defoe in the line up. The game should be a tight affair and I can see it being settle by 1 goal.
I am not expecting a fantastic game but a cautious one. I can see a nervous 1st half before Portsmouth sneak a winner in the 2nd half.
The Pick :
PORTSMOUTH 1-0 CARDIFF CITY
BEST BETTING TIP :
BETS:PORTSMOUTH to WIN
DRAW HT- PORTSMOUTH FT
