Portsmouth v Man Utd preview

Grant: New Pompey boss

PREDICTIONS

skysports.com prediction: Portsmouth 0 Man Utd 2

Sky Bet odds: Portsmouth 9/1 Draw 4/1 Man Utd 1/3

One to watch: Dimitar Berbatov

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Avram Grant will go head-to-head with Sir Alex Ferguson once again when he takes charge of Portsmouth's clash with Manchester United at Fratton Park.

The former Chelsea boss was named as Paul Hart's replacement on Thursday and, although the relevant details are yet to be sorted out, Grant should still take his place in the dugout.

The Israeli will not have fond memories of facing United with his last game in charge of Chelsea coming in the UEFA Champions League final in Moscow in May 2008 when the Red Devils claimed victory in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Grant's time in charge of the Blues also began with a defeat to United when he stepped in following Jose Mourinho's departure only to oversee a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

However Grant does now have one thing in his favour - Ferguson's men must improve their patchy form at Fratton Park if they are to come away with three points at the weekend.

The South Coast has not been a happy hunting ground for the champions since Pompey gained promotion to the Premier League in 2003.

Despite winning 1-0 at Fratton Park last season, the Red Devils have won just once more on their travels there, losing three of their six outings at Pompey.

Ferguson will have to watch the action from the directors' box as the United manager begins his two-match touchline ban. Despite the suspension the Scot will be confident his side can do enough to cut Chelsea's lead at the top to two points with the Blues visiting Arsenal on Sunday.

Pompey news

David James looks set to miss out again after injuring his calf in the warm-up prior the game at Stoke last weekend.

The England international is expected to be absent for three weeks and Jamie Ashdown, who replaced the veteran in the 1-0 defeat to the Potters, should stand in once more.

Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has had an injury-hit season but he could return to earn a place on the bench having recently suffered with a hamstring injury.

John Utaka could also make a timely comeback having missed more than a month with a thigh strain while experienced defender Steve Finnan could also be in contention having been out with a groin problem.

Long-term injury casualty Linvoy Primus remains sidelined with a foot injury.

Man Utd news

Defenders John O'Shea (thigh) and Jonny Evans (calf) have both not travelled meaning Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic should continue their partnership at the heart of the defence.

Gary Neville will battle it out with Rafael for the right-back slot while Patrice Evra should continue at left-back.

Rio Ferdinand remains troubled by his calf injury but Ferguson expects the defender to be back in two weeks' time.

Dimitar Berbatov has missed the club's last four games but was thought to be fit enough to face Besiktas on Wednesday. With qualification already sewn up Ferguson decided to field his youngsters against the Turks so the extra few days off will have only benefited the Bulgarian.

Long-term casualty Owen Hargreaves (knees) returned to full training this week but could still be some weeks off making a first-team return.

Probable starting XIs

Portsmouth: Ashdown, Ben Haim. Hreidarsson, Kaboul, Wilson, Brown, Boateng, O'Hara, Mullins, Kanu, Dindane.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Brown, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov.