The Bluebirds' npower Championship campaign resumes on Saturday as they travel to Portsmouth's Fratton Park. It is the first time that the two clubs have met since the 2008 F.A. Cup Final at Wembley, and Dave Jones' men will be out for retribution. Mark Denham previews the game.
Cardiff team news: Andy Keogh is in line to feature in the Bluebirds squad for the trip to the south coast following Ross McCormack's departure to Leeds United on Friday. Michael Chopra continues to be the most notable absentee for the Bluebirds after suffering ankle ligament damage in the game with Doncaster Rovers seven days ago, while Kevin McNaughton will also be missing with a knee injury that will keep him out of action until after the international break. Seyi Olofinjana and Stephen McPhail on the other hand should be available for selection after being substituted as precautions at Burton on Tuesday.
Portsmouth team news: John Utaka should be fit to face the Bluebirds on Saturday after overcoming a hamstring injury that forced him to limp off during Pompey's game with Reading two weeks ago. David Nugent and Hayden Mullins are also in contention for starting spots after seemingly winning their battles for fitness. Cup Final hero Kanu could also be named in the starting eleven for Saturday's game.
Portsmouth's season so far: Life back in the Championship didn't begin well for Pompey as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Coventry City on opening day at the Ricoh Arena. Carling Cup victories over Stevenage and Crystal Palace have been the only high points so far, as Steve Cotterill's side lost 1-0 at Preston North End in the Championship last weekend on the back of a 1-1 draw with Reading at Fratton Park seven days previously.
Last meeting: Cardiff City 0-1 Portsmouth
Kanu's thirty-seventh minute Wembley strike just over two years ago will long be remembered as one of the most famous goals in Portsmouth Football Club's history. Then a Premier League side, favourites Pompey overcame early Cardiff pressure to score and then hold on to the slenderest of leads at Wembley. Glenn Loovens saw his effort ruled out for handball, whilst substitute Aaron Ramsey had half a chance late on in the game to equalise, but ultimately it was Portsmouth who would climb the famous steps to lift the trophy at the Bluebirds' expense.
Teams from last meeting at Wembley, 17th May 2008:
Cardiff City: Enckelman, McNaughton, Johnson, Loovens, Capaldi, Ledley, Rae (Sinclair 86), McPhail, Whittingham (Ramsey 61), Parry, Hasselbaink (Thompson 70). Subs not used: Oakes, Purse.
Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka (Nugent 69), Mendes (Diop 78), Diarra, Muntari, Kranjcar, Kanu (Baros 87). Subs not used: Ashdown, Pamarot.
Attendance: 89,874
Portsmouth last time out:
Portsmouth 1-1 Crystal Palace (Portsmouth win 4-3 on penalties)
Portsmouth were the victors of the all Championship Carling Cup clash at Fratton Park on Tuesday evening. Former Preston striker David Nugent put the home side ahead after fifty-seven minutes with a well-crafted individual effort, but Ibrahima Sonko's hideous own-goal nine minutes from time took the game into extra-time and subsequently, penalties. Richard Hughes was the man who scored the decisive kick to put Pompey into round three after Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Barrett missed for the visitors.
