Premier League Preview: Everton v Portsmouth
Published 16:55 29/08/08 By By Chris Wilson
Saturday, kick-off 3pm
Celebrity predictions from The New Football Pools' pundits:
John Barnes : Draw. Tony Cascarino : Draw. Graham Poll : Home.
Team news:
Louis Saha and Segundo Castillo will not feature for Everton but fellow new signing Lars Christian Jacobsen should play. Saha has moved from Manchester United on a free transfer but needs to undergo a medical before the deal is sealed while Castillo's international clearance is not yet ready after his switch from Red Star Belgrade. The Toffeemen are still without Steven Pienaar (broken toe), Tim Cahill (foot), Tony Hibbert (knee) and Andy van der Meyde (hamstring)
Portsmouth are banking on forward Jermain Defoe recovering from a virus in time to start at Goodison Park. If the England striker is fit, boss Harry Redknapp is likely to stick with a 4-4-2 formation, but could revert to a five-man midfield if he fails to make it. Niko Kranjcar could be out until Christmas after an ankle operation while new winger Jerome Thomas (back) is a doubt.
Stats:
Last season: Everton 3 Portsmouth 1, Portsmouth 0 Everton 0
Last five league matches: Everton D L W L W; Portsmouth L L L L L
Top scorers: Ayegbeni Yakubu (Everton) 2
Match odds: H 11-10 A 5-2 D 23-10
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Match facts from Opta:
Former Pompey player Yakubu bagged two goals the last time Portsmouth visited Goodison Park.
The Nigerian striker has scored four goals in his last three league outings.
The Toffees have won seven of the league meetings with Pompey and four out of five matches at home against the south coast side.
David Moyes' side have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven home matches.
The Merseysiders have kept just one shut out in the last 11 overall.
Pompey have not drawn any of their last 19 Premier League away games.
Pompey are the only Premier league team yet to find the net this season and have failed to score in six of their last seven league outings.
Portsmouth have lost their last six Premier League games in a row - their worst ever run in Premier League history.
Everton have won four of their five Premier League home games with Portsmouth and seven out of 10 overall.
Peter Crouch has scored in three of his last four league games away from home.
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