Your guide to all the predictions and Mystic Meggery ahead of Portsmouth v Bolton Wanderers

Reasons to be cheerful
1. Danny Shittu is a major doubt after being floored by Didier Drogba last week.

2. Matt Taylor, who has scored 10 goals so far this season, would love to show Pompey fans what they’ve been missing since they sold him – even if Gary Megson won’t let him be captain for the day.

3. Portsmouth seem to think that we’re a bigger threat than AC Milan.

4. Pompey could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to West Brom last week, whilst the Wanderers found a new resiliance by fighting back at 4-0 down against Chelsea.

Reasons to be fearful
5. If Shittu does recover in time, he may be a little awestruck by his hero Sol Campbell – which won’t help us improve on a dismal recent defensive record, including conceding nine goals in the last four games.

6. Chris Basham, who transformed the game when he came on at Stamford Bridge last week, will have to settle for a place on the bench, whilst Johan Elmander – who’s still struggling to live up to his price tag – will start again up front – although Kevin Davies doesn’t think that’s a problem.

7. Portsmouth are unbeaten in their last four games and a win would probably guarantee their Premier League safety.

8. Bolton, on the other hand, have very little to play for now – despite Gary Megson’s best attempts to convince us that relegation is still a possibility. Meanwhile, Gary Cahill has poo-pooed any hope of getting in to Europe.

9. Glen Johnson and alleged Bolton target Sean Davis are both available for selection again.

Reasons to be completely bored by pointless stats
10. A draw today would be Bolton’s 100th in the Premier League – although we’ve drawn fewer games than any other Premier League club this season.

11. Portsmouth’s town hall, pictured above, is identical to Bolton’s – I realise this has absolutely no bearing on the match but it just seemed like a good excuse to use the picture.

What are your predictions for Portsmouth v Bolton? Have your say in the comment box below…

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