TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Squad sheets: West Ham United v Portsmouth Both these teams are struggling in the Premier League and face deep uncertainty in January. The hosts may be forced to sell their best players to pay off their debts while Portsmouth, who are not without financial dilemmas of their own, could lose several players to the African Cup of Nations. West Ham will look to build on the point they picked up at top of the table Chelsea last time out but they must stop leaking goals at home if they are to have any chance of pulling away from the relegation zone. Avram Grant must continue to cope without England goalkeeper David James in the visitor's goal, with Asmir Begovic set to continue to deputise. Richard FlowerVenue Upton ParkTickets £35-51 (0871 222 2700)Last season West Ham 0 Portsmouth 0Referee L ProbertThis season's matches 8 Y28, R2, 3.75 cards per gamesportingbet odds West Ham 11-10 Portsmouth 11-5 Draw 11-5West HamSubs from Kurucz, Spector, Kovac, Daprela, Nouble, Dyer, Da Costa, Jiménez, Behrami, NgalaDoubtful Jiménez (groin), Dyer (hamstring), Behrami (knee)Injured Gabbidon (hamstring, 3 Jan), Cole (knee, 10 Jan), Boa Morte (knee, Feb), Davenport (legs, unknown), Hines (knee, unknown)Suspended NoneForm guide DLLLWDDisciplinary record Y38 R3Leading scorer Cole 7PortsmouthSubs from Ashdown, Niemi, Wilson, Mokoena, Vanden Borre, Basinas, Williamson, Webber, Hughes, Mullins, Kanu, Smith, Diop, DindaneDoubtful Piquionne (calf)Injured James (calf, 2 Jan), Ward (groin, 2 Jan)Suspended NoneForm guide WLDWLLDisciplinary record Y36 R2Leading scorer Dindane 4Match pointers• This is the fourth time in five seasons that these clubs have met on Boxing Day• After seven Premier League meetings without a win over Portsmouth, West Ham secured their first victory in their meeting on Boxing Day last year• West Ham have scored the most penalties this season (six) while Portsmouth have conceded the most (six)• Portsmouth have won just one of their last 22 Premier League away matches• West Ham have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 home games and have conceded 25 goals in those matchesWest Ham UnitedPortsmouthPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Liverpool and Rafael Benítez at crossroads as Aston Villa loom large Liverpool's season could be defined by clash against Aston Villa on Tuesday. telegraph.co.uk |
Liverpool director Tom Hicks Jnr sends fan abusive email Son of co-owner Tom Hicks and Liverpool director under fire for sending an obscene and abusive to a fan who inquired about the club's finances. telegraph.co.uk |
Dunfermline kicked out of Scottish Cup for 'breaches of competition rules' Club committed "a number of breaches of the cup competition rules" in win over Stenhousemuir. telegraph.co.uk |
Goal: New Coach Gives Red Bulls Hope Personnel changes for the Red Bulls have players and management alike excited about the team’s upcoming season. feeds.nytimes.com |