EPL 1/1/2008 - Reading vs Portsmouth

Ok, so Portsmouth continues to be the great pretender. Lethal away from home, facing a mental crutch and lack of balls at home. Well, tonight, against a Reading team who certainly enjoy playing wide expansive football, Portsmouth's African brigade should offer a farewell gift to their manager Harry Redknapp before disappearing for the African Nations' Cup.

The only thing that worries me is that Portsmouth have their fair share of injuries coming into this game. This might affect their fluidity. But if you cannot score against a team that led 3 times in a game before succumbing to 6 goals, you certainly don't deserve scoring away from home anymore.

Steve Coppell is showing signs of cracking and frustration. He hates the limelight, but craves success. You've been warned - the man has a history of throwing in the towel when his career gets one step closer to widespread acclaim. In fact, if not for Ramos, perhaps Coppell might have been the best candidate for Spurs stake for past glories. Attractive soccer is what the mental wrecks at White Hart Lane crave for. Coppell has made 5-4 games his specialty.

It looks dodgy, but I cannot see further than over the total for the goals category in Reading vs Portsmouth.