Portsmouth - This Weeks EPL Value

A mighty mid-table clash is upon us as Manchester City take on the rising Tottenham Hotspurs at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Manchester City has been nothing short of abysmal since their shock win over potential league leaders and bitter rivals Manchester United. They have failed to find the net since the historic day, and their season appears to be spiraling out of control. To further destabilize the club, inspirational captain Richard Dunne is facing a late fitness test on his shin, whilst Michael Ball, Micah Richards and Martin Petrov are all definite exclusions with injuries and suspensions affecting the club. If they are to record a victory, they will need to reverse the strangle-hold the Spurs have had over them in recent years, having lost their last eight league and cup matches against them. The Citizens will also need to address the lack of a forward fire-power, with star Elano struggling for form after a scorching start to his Premier league career. Benjani is a hard worker, and Felipe Caicedo showed signs of being a star striker in years to come, but as it stands Elano is leading the goal tally with an appalling five Premier league goals.

Tottenham tumbled out of the UEFA cup midweek to a resurgent Fiorentina, a devastating blow to the side after drawing level only to be out-gunned in a do-or-die penalty shootout. They face a side ten points above the in the league, but many would say they are the better side in terms of form. Alan Hutton will be available after missing the midweek game as a cup-tied player, but Younes Kaboul and Richard Rocha will be sidelined with injury. Tottenham will be relying on their in-form attacking superstars in Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane to secure the points for them, with the duo wreaking havoc over the past couple of weeks, and combining for twenty four league goals overall.

This could go either way, Man City could re-discover the impregnable nature that gave them their early league position, or Tottenham could play them off the park in their current form. As it is, I can see this petering out into a draw, the odds are good with $3.20 being available at PartyBets.

The other value match-up of the weekend is crucial with European places at stake. Aston Villa travel to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth.

Portsmouth's confidence will be flying high after a momentous defensive effort threw Manchester United out of the FA cup. This was followed by a two goal win over lowly Birmingham. They will sweat over the fitness of Captain Sol Campbell, who will have his knee assessed ahead of the game, whilst Noe Pamarot is sidelined and Pedro Mendes looking to be replaced by Lassana Diarra. A win at home would see them overtake Aston Villa in the league and leave them in a prime position to secure a UEFA cup position next season. After losing top scorer Benjani to Man City, former Tottenham player Jermaine Defoe has relished the new lease of life at Pompey, scoring five goals since the January transfer window and forming an effective partnership with Czech, Milan Baros. They will also be reveling in the form of ageing keeper David James, who has risen from constant mediocrity, which earned him the nickname "Calamity James", to lead the race for the Barclay's Golden Glove.

Aston Villa have continued their meteoric rise this season, combining flawless passing and finishing with the dogged determination of a team who cannot accept defeat. Electric striker Gabriel Agbonlahor may miss with a foot injury with Craig Gardner also struggling to be fit. Olof Mellberg is fit once again after an ankle injury sidelined him midweek. Bullocking big-man John Carew is the teams leading goal-scorer with nine goals, but the Villains true strength lies in numbers, with Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry and Martin Laursen all contributing over five goals.

Another close match is expected, with both teams staking claims to be the victor and to try and cement UEFA football next season. Portsmouth are on a high-flying run at the moment and I think that home advantage can carry them over the line. There is tantalizing odds of $2.30 available at PartyBets.

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