Manchester United and Portsmouth are going to face each other in a premier league match at the Old Trafford on Wednesday. No doubt, the match is important to both the clubs, though with different reasons. Manchester Untied has been in a dominating form this month with their key players including Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney all are at their great form.
Portsmouth is also going though a good time in premier league. They are currently at the ninth position in the table with just four points behind the fourth position held by Aston Villa. So, they have a good chance to win a place in the UEFA Cup finishing the season within top six places. So, winning a UEFA Cup berth is now very possible for the Pompey and it is a realistic target as well. What is more, they have a balanced side.
The fact is very much interesting that Manchester Untied is very strong at their home ground. In the same way, Portsmouth has been performing consistently well on the road. So, it is almost clear that Manchester United’s 11 straight league victories will strongly be challenged against Portsmouth.
Manchester United has recently confirmed their fifth round FA Cup place though the 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday this week. Manchester Untied is now jointly sharing the top place of league point table with Arsenal in English premier league. So, there is not doubt that the defending champions are now going smoothly towards another premier league title.
Manchester Untied attack spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo has been in imperious form in the recent matches. The Portuguese midfielder is the highest goal scorer of Premier league of this season with 17 goals so far. Argentine striker Carlos Tevez and England striker Wayne Rooney are also in great form. About Ronaldo’s form this season, his team mate, Owen Hargreaves has said that Ronaldo is yet to reach his top form. He said:
"The thing is, Cristiano can do even better, he can do more, and I think he will," said the Canadian-raised United midfielder.
"He just wants to be the best, and you can see that in him. There's no doubt for me that he will get there, if he's not there now.
"I think he's got to the point now where you'd almost be surprised if he didn't score, he's in such good form," he added.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has included two effective players in the side in the winter transfer window. Lassana Diarra and Milan Baros are expected to be very much effective for the Pompey in the coming matches. So, it seems that Portsmouth is going to be much stronger in the matches to come.
Goal.com reported:
Harry Redknapp has worked his magic once again in the January transfer window, bringing in talented duo Lassana Diarra and Milan Baros from Arsenal and Lyon, respectively. Diarra will provide an extra shield in front of a well marshalled back four while the pacy front man Baros will offer Pompey another option in attack. Both players have Premier League experience and look like astute signings.
Manchester Untied will not get their Serbian left back Nemanja Vidic for the match against Portsmouth because of his illness. Louis Saha (knee) and Gary Neville (ankle) will also be sidelined with their injury problem, while Paul Scholes is expected to play in the match against Portsmouth. For Portsmouth, Milan Baros is now hopeful to play regularly for Portsmouth.
I think, the match is going to be an exciting one. Though Manchester United will play in front of the home crowd, Portsmouth will also come up with a strong challenge for the home side. Now, let us see if Manchester Untied get over the Portsmouth challenge and hold their place at the top of the point table.
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