Preview: Portsmouth vs. Crystal Palace

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 16 April 2012

Portsmouth may find themselves relegated against Crystal Palace tomorrow. Here, Sports Mole examines their chances of fighting of the threat of the drop for another game.

Losing is not an option for Portsmouth tomorrow evening when Crystal Palace visit Fratton Park.

Even a draw will not be enough for Michael Appleton's men, who require all three points to keep their status as a Championship side intact. That may not be enough though if Bristol City win their encounter with West Ham United.

Appleton will be without veteran's Tal Ben Haim and Kanu for the match because of injuries.

However, Dave Kitson is expected to return to the starting lineup following a spell on the bench.

Kagisho Dikgacoi is a major doubt for Palace, while Anthony Gardner has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring complaint.

Pompey will be able to take heart from the fact that they have lost just once in their last nine home fixtures against Dougie Freedman's side.

Current form:

Portsmouth: LWLDLW
Palace: LDLLLD

Possible lineups:

Portsmouth: Ashdown; Ward, Rocha, Pearce, Rekik; Halford, Norris, Allan, Harris; Kitson, Futacs

Palace: Speroni; Clyne, McCarthy, Moxey, McShane; Garvan, O'Keefe, Ambrose, Scannell; Zaha, Martin

Sports Mole says: 2-0