Pompey play Devils' advocate

By Helen Bendell helen.bendell@william-reed.co.uk

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Fa cup Manchester united f.c. Manchester united

Portsmouth suffered with the absence of five key players during the Africa Cup of Nations but their squad has been restored to full strength....

Portsmouth suffered with the absence of five key players during the Africa Cup of Nations but their squad has been restored to full strength.

Recently they have been looking like contenders for Europe but a defeat at Goodi-son Park left Everton well placed, despite David Moyes's assertions that Liverpool are favourites for fourth place.

Pompey are in with a chance of some domestic silverware this season but must overcome Manchester United to book an FA Cup semi-final place.

It'll be the fourth time manager Harry Redknapp has faced the Red Devils in the competition, and will provide a chance for revenge on last year's disappointment when the Manchester side sealed Pompey's fourth-round exit.

Old Trafford will again be the venue for their clash, but Redknapp will hope to return to his historically sound FA Cup form against United on Saturday (SS1, 12noon).

The boss's West Ham side despatched United at the fourth-round stage at Old Trafford in 2001. And in a classic example of FA Cup giant-slaying, Redknapp shaped United's 1984 third-round downfall when his third-tier side Bournemouth triumphed.

Shock sixth-round participants Barnsley will be plotting the downfall of another top club after booking their place in the last eight with a win over Liverpool. They'll be thankful for their good home record going into Saturday's visit from defending FA Cup champions Chelsea (5,15pm, BBC1).

Spurs will have to pick themselves up after a drubbing by Birmingham. They host Dutch side PSV on Thursday (ITV4, 7.00pm) in the UEFA Cup, with the second leg less than a

week later (Wednesday, five, 7.30pm). Fiorentina travel to Everton on Wednesday for their second leg (7.00pm, ITV4).

Liverpool have a welcome two-goal advantage going into Tuesday's Champions League second leg with Inter Milan (SS2, 7.30pm).

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