The Potters travel to Portsmouth this Saturday evening in a game that sees two sides who are looking at different futures. Stoke are on the ascent and continue to go from strength to strength whilst Pompey are in crisis, close to folding, bottom of the league and with a very bleak looking future. Stoke have a decent away record this season and although they have only won once, at Spurs, they have onyl been beaten five times. Portsmouth have more cup wins than league wins, indeed they have had as many owners as league wins, but did beat Liverpool 2-0 at Fratton Park in late 2009. In the 33 matches between these sides at Portsmouth, the Potters have won 6, the hosts19 and eight have been drawn. Last season when the pair clashed at Fratton Park the game ended 2-1 to Pompey and the hosts also triumphed 4-0 in a Carling Cup game earlier this season. City only have one league win at Portsmouth since 1963. Overall Stoke have 23 wins to Portsmouth's 27. The referee is Mike Dean. The official last took charge of Stoke in the 2-2 draw with Wigan in December. He has also refereed the controversial 2-1 defeats to Chelsea and Hull this season. He has refereed Portsmouth once this season, a 4-1 home defeat against Manchester United. Prediction: The Potters keep up their recent goalscoring form on their travels and take out Tuesdays frustration on crisis club Pompey, running out comfortable winners
Stoke sit 11th in the Premier League and will be confident that they can secure another season of top flight football, sooner rather than later. Portsmouth are adrift at the foot of the Premier League, and look nailed on for relegation, but are still in the FA Cup and will be hoping for a big pay day and memorable day out at Wembley.
The Met Office report that there will be light rain, temperatures of 5 degrees celsius, very good visibility and a 12 mph wind.