Sunderland's only loss in that five games was when their one legged dyslexic girls third XI, of which only IX turned up, lost against Legia Walsall in the FA Cup! I think this will be Pompey's biggest test of the season as to promotion credentials and Championship survival next season. As always I have done my utmost to help the cause by putting a defeat for us in my prediction league picks!
TEAM NEWS Luke McGee is still sidelined with a wrist injury, but David Wheeler is back in contention following a hamstring problem. Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin has recovered from back spasm and should return on Saturday, although Denver Hume (ankle) and Donald Love (knee) are both out. Tom Flanagan is also a doubt in defence, while former Pompey loanee Chris Maguire is likely to start on the bench. BETTING Pompey are the 10/11 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 14/5.
0-0 at HT. 2nd minute of 2nd half - Pen for Pompey and a red card for Sunderlands Looven 1-0 to Pompey Gareth Evans smashes it.
And now 2-0 thanks to Ronan Curtis 5 minutes later Hawkins heads the ball down to Curtis. He elects not to cross for Lowe, but instead fires a shot into the net from a tight angle to double Pompey's lead
PORTSMOUTH 3 Sunderland 1 courtesy of Ben Thompson GOAL! Pompey 3 (B.Thompson) Sunderland 1 Hawkins' header from an Evans corner is brilliantly saved, but Sunderland can't clear and Thompson's drive from the edge of the box is deflected into the roof of the net to restore Pompey's two-goal lead
Gareth Evans goes off to a standing ovation having run his socks off for us. Ben Close replaces him in the no. 10 role
