Analysis:

Both of these two teams awill be wanting maximum points here for different reasons. Manchester United is expected to go back top albeit for 24 hours before Chelsea plays Arsenal on Sunday as it will take Portsmouth something unimaginable to get something out of this match.

Portsmouth take to the field with mostly events off the field dominating the headlines as Balram Chainrai has technically become Pompey's fourth owner this season. They start this match knowing that they have only won four games all season.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men will be eager to carry on from where they left off after beating Arsenal 3-1 at The Emirates last weekend, but Portsmouth will be hoping to avoid their third defeat in a week, after losses to Manchester City and Fulham.

One worrying statistic for Avram Grant is that Portsmouth have not beaten United in a league encounter at Old Trafford since 1957.

With regards to the team news, United's defence has been strengthened with the return of Nemanja Vidic. Vidic has been out of action ever since suffering pain from a nerve in his leg prior to the encounter with Wigan at the end of December. He has trained hard with the side and could come back into the starting eleven if not this match then the crucial trip to Villa Park in midweek.

Rio Ferdinand is out as he serves his second of his four match suspension. The man to watch for United will be Wayne Rooney who is in red hot scoring form.

For Portsmouth, Ricardo Rocha and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie will be pushing for starts after joining the side on loan. Pape Bouba Diop and Micahel Brown are out of the sie with injuries but Kanu could start after returning from African Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria. Striker Aruna Dindane is likely to start as a lone figure upfront as they hope to get something out of this match.

The handicap is high as Manchester United is giving 2 1/4 ball away here. Manchester United should get all three points but can they score more than 2 goals here?

I will go for Unietd to win this 2-0 and accept the 2 1/4 ball for Portsmouth here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

Manchester United 2-0

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Manchester United 70% - Draw 20% - Portsmouth 10%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Manchester United to win here.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Portsmouth and accept the 2 1/4 ball here.