Pompeyvision : Saddlers Vs Portsmouth - Preview

By 4two
April 3 2003

The Saddlers face top of the table Pompey in front of Sky's TV Cameras for a 5:35 kick-off at the Bescot. Walsall have 4 players suspended, including Pompey loanee Carl Robinson, keeper Jim Walker and Skipper Martin O'Connor.

Big Points

Saddlers Vs Pompey Preview

Date : 05/04 Time: 5.35pm Venue: Bescot Saddlers News

If you have not got your tickets by Saturday, then forget about it. This one is all ticket.

You cannot miss the stadium if you travel along the M6. It is just off Junction 9, then the A461 road leads you around to the Stadium. It is well signposted from the Motorway. You can Leave at Junction 10, it takes longer but it is also sign posted. It is a 20 minute walk from the town center, and it is also served by its own Station "Bescot Stadium Station". (Guide to Bescot)

Lawrence is suspended, as are Jim Walker, Carl Robinson and Mart O'Connor. Hay is back and fit, so he may figure in the squad, but former Pompey player Fitz Simpson is still out injured. Sonner is in line for a recall, Smith or Stanley may take up a place on the bench as Midfield cover.

Portsmouth have recalled Bradbury from Wednesday, as they have only 3 fit strikers. French forward Pericard is out for the rest of the season.

Match Focus

Walsall   Seasonal Stats   Pompey 4-2 vs Stoke Biggest Home Win 6-2 vs Derby 3-0 vs Millwall Biggest Away Win 5-0 vs Millwall 1-4 vs Leicester Heaviest Home Defeat 0-2 vs Leicester 0-5 vs Preston Heaviest Away Defeat 1-2 vs Wimbledon 28 Players Used 27 10 Clean Sheets 13 13 Failed To Score 3 2 Best Winning Sequence 7 3 Best Unbeaten Sequence 11 4 Worst Losing Sequence 0 6 Worst Sequence With No Win 4

3-2 Last Meeting 30/11/2002

The Season So far Walsall       Portsmouth Ven Versus Pos A 0 - 2  Palace L 14 A 0 - 5 Preston L 14 H 3 - 2 Burnley W 11 H 1 - 2 Millwall L 16 A 0 - 0 Rotherham D 8 A 2 - 1 Bradford W 19 A 0 - 1 Stoke L 24 H 2 - 0 Watford W 8 H 1 - 4 Leicester L 2 H 1 - 0 Brighton W 24 Ven Versus Pos A 1 - 1 Preston D 11 A 4 - 0 Coventry W 15 H 1 - 0 Wolves W 6 H 3 - 2 Norwich W 7 A 1 - 2 Wimbledon L 17 A 5 - 0 Millwall W 14 H 1 - 0 Gillingham W 14 A 1 - 1 Leicester D 2 H 6 - 2 Derby W 14 H 3 - 0 Grimsby W 21

Did you know that Pompey have never scored a goal at the Bescot Stadium...lets hope this does not change !

Forward Focus Jorge Leitao 9 Svetoslav Todorov 9       10 Goals 18 37 Games Played 38 0.27 Goals Per Game Av 0.47 9 Total Games Scored In 15 8 Games Scored 1 Goals 12 1 Games Scored 2 Goals 3 0 Games Scored 3 Goals 0 2 Scoring Run (games) 4 6 Dry Spell (games) 4

One2Watch: Gavin Ward will have to be in tip top form to keep out the Pompey attack. His lack of first team football could count against  him, but he will want to make a favourable impression during Whakkas absensce. . One2Watch:Ever since Pompey signed Matt Taylor from Luton Town he has been in sparking form. He is quick, skillful, clever and has great vision. he has scored some spectacular goals so far this season, and was on target during the last meeting. Able to play anywhere on the left side, he will be a constant threat to the Saddlers.

Verdict

Every Saddlers fan hopes that Pompey will see us a walkover and come to the Bescot expecting an easy game. Then again, every Saddlers fan also hopes that the Saddlers will not be the walk over they have proved they can be at times during the past few months. Pompey have quality all over the field, we don't. That says it all. We can only live in hope.

Prediction: The Saddlers 2-3 Pompey