Preston North End Vs Portsmouth
Sunday 17th February 2008 FA Cup 5th Round
The FA Cup may be a welcome distraction for Alan Irvine as he looks to put the costly defeat to Colchester in midweek firmly behind him. After seeing off Premiership Derby County in the last round, Irvine will have instilled into his player's minds that it is no impossibility to do such a thing again. Accordingly Harry Redknapp will be fully aware that league form counts for nothing in the FA cup as we have seen when, Championship strugglers, Coventry thumped Blackburn at home and Oldham when stunned Everton at Goodison Park.
Likewise with Preston beating Premiership opposition, Pompey will be looking to beat their third Championship opponents in the FA Cup after seeing off Ipswich and Plymouth in their bid to visit Wembley this season. Despite the 33 league places that separate the two teams it's a game that Preston will feel they can win, especially at home where under Alan Irvine they have enjoyed some good results. Sundays fixture see's Preston compete for a place in the FA cup 6th round for the third time in successive seasons. However the last time they did go one better was way back in 1966.
Previous Meetings
The last time Preston played Portsmouth was back in the 2002/2003 season where North End could only manage to take a point from Pompey after a 3-2 defeat on the south coast and a 1-1 draw at Deepdale. The season before, however was somewhat different. Preston did the double over Portsmouth when a Lee Cartwright goal gave North End a 1-0 win at Fratton Park and goals from Wijnhard and Alexander from the spot, ensured the three points at Deepdale.
In the FA Cup
It is the 4th time North End have drawn Pompey in the FA cup. Portsmouth won the first two before World War II. But it was Preston won the most recent tie, a 3-1 win at Fratton Park in 1948 saw North End progress to the 5th round.
Team News
Pompey will be without the cup tied Jermain Defoe due to his substitute appearance at Old Trafford in Spurs' 3-1 defeat but will have former North End favourite, David Nugent after his return from injury. Should Nugent make an appearance on Sunday it will be his first visit his old stomping ground since his £6m move in the summer.
North End will have to do without Sean St Ledger available after recieving a red card in the midweek defeat to Colchester. Neil Mellor will be hoping of starting places after making an impact on Tuesday and Richard Chaplow could step in for Darren Carter after picking up five yellow cards. Matt Hill, who missed the Colchester game through family commitments, is also available as he will be looking to win his place in the team back.