Portsmouth v West Ham preview

Redknapp ready to tackle former club

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 26th October 2007

Harry Redknapp

Redknapp: Hammers clash

Skysports.com prediction: Portsmouth 3 West Ham 1

Player to watch: Benjani Mwaruwari

Sky Bet odds: Portsmouth 4/5, Draw 9/4, West Ham 3/1

Click here for full match odds.


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Harry Redknapp welcomes former club West Ham to Fratton Park with Portsmouth looking to move into the top four of the Premier League.

Redknapp's seven-year stint at Upton Park ended in 2001 and his focus is now on guiding Pompey into Europe after an impressive start to the season.

The South Coast side are unbeaten on home turf so far this term and are on a four-game winning streak in the Premier League after victories away to Wigan, Fulham and Blackburn and the 7-4 rout of Reading in their last Fratton Park fixture.

The weight of history is also against the Hammers, with Portsmouth having won the last three Premier League meetings between the two teams, with the last top-flight victory enjoyed by the east London side over their opponents coming back in December 1958.

Davis out

In-form Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari, who has already scored more goals this season than he managed last term, and John Utaka are set to start with Kanu (knee) and David Nugent (groin) in the treatement room.

Midfielder Sean Davis is ruled out by a one-match suspension after receiving five yellow cards so far this season so Pedro Mendes is expected to take his place in the starting XI.

Defender Linvoy Primus is still working his way back to full fitness after a summer knee operation and midfielder Richard Hughes starts a three-game suspension after a red card while playing for the reserves.

Bellamy boost

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley, who saw his side snap a three-game league losing streak with a somewhat fortuitous 3-1 win over Sunderland last weekend, is expected to stick with the players on duty against the Black Cats.

Striker Craig Bellamy, who scored the third goal in that victory, has reported no ill effects despite playing three games in nine days after groin surgery, and will again lead the line.

Nolberto Solano is pushing for a place in the starting XI after making an immediate impact off the bench against Sunderland.

Dean Ashton and Scott Parker remain on the sidelines and while Nigel Quashie (ankle) featured for the reserves in midweek, he is still some way from full fitness after being out of action since March.