Portsmouth vs Sunderland: The Black Cats know what’s required

Newcastle’s defeat at home to Fulham on Saturday was wildly cheered by both Portsmouth and Sunderland fans, but for two different reasons. For Portsmouth supporters, that result guarantees that Fratton Park will be hosting Premier League football next season. For Sunderland fans, well, they just love watching the Geordies getting beat!

Unfortunately for the Black Cats their future is still to be decided, although it is in their own hands. They need at least two points from their remaining two games to ensure they’ll be in the top flight come August, but they couldn’t have asked for two tougher games. They travel to Fratton Park on Monday evening before entertaining FA Cup finalists Chelsea on the final day of the season, so I think it’s safe to say that they will be looking to secure all three points on the south coast.

Despite only recording one win in their past seven Premier League outings, Portsmouth still have everything to play for. Nobody knows if Paul Hart will be given the manager’s job on a permanent basis but the players know that they must impress whatever happens. Fratton Park prides itself on having one of the most passionate home supports in the country and they will be keen to see their heroes win their final home game of the season.

Sunderland have yet to win away from the Stadium of Light in 2009 and have failed to score in their past three outings. The pressure on Ricky Sbragia is growing, with more Sunderland fans voicing their concern over his appointment, and their record against Pompey is pretty poor. They’ve only beaten their south coast counterparts once in the Premier League and you have to go back to 1997 for the last time they triumphed at Fratton Park.

A point would be a step in the right direction for Sunderland but it might not be enough in the long run. A draw would take them to 37 points, two points clear of Hull City and three clear of Newcastle United. Nobody outside of Wearside believes that the Black Cats can beat Chelsea on the final day and nobody can see Hull City beating the champions Manchester United either. However, if the Mags were to beat Aston Villa they would join Sunderland on 37 points and climb above them on goal difference. And if Hull were then to gain a shock win at the KC Stadium it would send Sunderland through the Premier League trap door.

With West Bromwich Albion officially down, Sunderland have the chance to beat Portsmouth and guarantee their Premiership status with a game to spare. However, the panel is expecting Portsmouth to pick up their first win in five attempts and take Sunderland’s battle to beat the drop right down to the final day.

Portsmouth vs Sunderland; Kick Off 8:00pm 18 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 0 - 0
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Peter Lee : 0 - 0
Don McMahon : 0 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 1 - 0
Dan Taylor : 2 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting Portsmouth to win narrowly and confirm its status.

Home: 8; Draw: 6; Away: 0; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!