FA Cup: Can Pompey stop Chelsea doing the double?

Guus Hiddink; Chelsea

Portsmouth players forego bonuses to take on their manager’s old club

LAST UPDATED AT 11:14 ON Fri 14 May 2010

Saturday sees the imperious Chelsea take on the already relegated underdogs Portsmouth in an FA Cup final that promises to be more than the sum of its parts.
 
Portsmouth don't even have the promise of European qualification to aim for, as their license to play in Europe has been rejected. They also come into the match having failed to beat Chelsea in 27 meetings in all competitions.

But, as their 2-0 semi-final win against Tottenham showed, Portsmouth have somehow found fortitude and success in the face of adversity under Avram Grant and there is a chance – albeit small – that they could upset Chelsea.
 
That said, Grant's old club come into the match as newly crowned Premier League champions and have their sights set of a first ever league and cup double. Not only is striker Didier Drogba the winner of the golden boot, but the team have just broken the record for most goals ever scored in a Premier League season. And while it looked like captain John Terry would be out of the game – news that gave Pompey an extra glimmer of hope – he is now apparently fit again and expected to play.
 
At least Portsmouth are able to field their best players. At one stage, it was thought that their well-documented financial crisis would mean several members of the first team squad being ruled out because of the club's inability to pay bonuses. But such is the desire of the players to find some success in a season riddled with controversy that all of the squad will play anyway.
 
Chelsea's form is fearsome - they won their last game against Wigan 8-0, while Portsmouth lost 1-0 at Everton. But Pompey's 3-1 win against Wolves in their previous outing was more than respectable.
 
Key to the neutrals will be the performances of John Terry and Ashley Cole because it is vital that they recover some form ahead of the World Cup. Portsmouth's David James will be attempting to cement his place as England's first choice goalkeeper ahead of Joe Hart and Robert Green - and there is little doubt that he will be kept busy.
 
Chelsea (probable, 4-3-3): Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, A Cole; Kalou, Ballack, Lampard; Malouda, Drogba, Anelka.
Portsmouth (probable, 4-5-1): James; Finnan, Mokoena, Rocha, Mullins; Boateng, Brown, Hughes Yebda, Dindane; Piquionne. ·