Barclays Premier League
Venue: Fratton Park Date: Wednesday, 30 December 2009 Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, full match commentary on 5 Live sports extra & live on Sky Sports 1
TEAM NEWS
**Portsmouth midfielder Jamie O’Hara is suspended for the visit of Arsenal.**Hassan Yebda, Nadir Belhadj, Kanu and Aruna Dindane are due to travel to the Africa Cup of Nations but could be available for this match.
Cesc Fabregas is unlikely to feature for Arsenal, having aggravated a hamstring problem in a match-winning cameo appearance against Aston Villa.
None of Arsenal’s other injured players are expected to make their comeback until January.
MATCH PREVIEW
Portsmouth have not beaten Arsenal since Perry Como topped the music charts more than half a century ago with Magic Moments.
606: DEBATE
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There have been precious few of those this season for a Pompey side rooted to the foot of the table. So far, there aren’t any memories the fans have been sharing with much fondness.
Nonetheless, Portsmouth’s home form in particular has improved under new manager Avram Grant, with three wins from the last four games at Fratton Park.
The hosts will be severely tested against an Arsenal side that outplayed in-form Aston Villa on Sunday, with Cesc Fabregas imperious in his second-half cameo as a substitute.
Fabregas is expected to sit out this game after suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury. Even so, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas has brought good cheer to Arsenal.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Arsenal are on a 20-match unbeaten streak against Portsmouth in all competitions (W12, D8), including 17 league games.
• Portsmouth last beat Arsenal in March 1958, winning 5-4 at home in the old First Division.
Portsmouth
• Pompey have won three of their last four home games but still have the division’s joint lowest points tally (nine) in front of their own fans this season, along with Bolton.
• They have taken seven points from their previous five games this month under new manager Avram Grant.
• Portsmouth have rescued just a solitary point from a losing position this season.
• They are vying to become only the second club in 18 seasons of the Premier League to avoid relegation after being bottom at Christmas.
Arsenal
• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five league games (W4, D1).
• They have scored more goals (82) and lost fewer matches (five) in the Premier League this year than any other club.
• They are the division’s leading scorers with 47 goals.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Arsenal 4-1 Portsmouth (22 August 2009)
Arsenal scorers: Diaby 18, 21, Gallas 51, Ramsey 68.
Portsmouth scorer: Kaboul 37.