Picture from the Independent via Getty Images.

2 games, 0 points. No goals scored and five goals allowed.

What those numbers don't tell you are the two opponents in question. At Stamford Bridge against Chelsea and then host to Manchester United.

When Portsmouth saw their early season schedule, they had to be a little concerned.

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I'm a freak aren't I? I am. Those bells are ringing in my ears, constantly. I forgot how long it first took me to tune them out -- Defoe said he's still getting used to it. Unbelievable. At least Vidic seems a little intimidated by me. God knows they laughed when I fought them off at Anfield. So bitter those Mancs. Click to continue reading...

After England had a disappointing 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic, the Portsmouth manager has the answers for Capello.

Play a 4-5-1.

The defense and 'keeper stay the same. Gareth Barry stays the same as a holding mid.

Play Joe Cole on the left. Shocker alert with Wayne Rooney on at right mid! Click to continue reading...

• It's clear that England is really lacking in two positions – left wing and center forward. Steven Gerrard is a very good player and performed well on the left today, but that's not his natural position and he doesn't give England much width. He needs to play in the position Frank Lampard occupied today. Click to continue reading...

Blackburn Rovers are considering a double swoop of Valencia's Joaquin and Nikola Zigic. These two additions would greatly improve Paul Ince's side as they aim to replace the departed David Bentley (and possibly Roque Santa Cruz if he leaves).

For those of you that aren't familiar with these two players, you soon will be. Click to continue reading...

Martin Samuel from the London Times writes about how England are lacking in quality forwards and I agree with him. Wayne Rooney can't carry the team upfront by himself, and he really does seem to be more of a setup man then an out and out finisher. With Michael Owen not being fit again, I think Fabio Capello needs to look at either Jermain Defoe or Darren Bent. Click to continue reading...

Three first half goals were plenty enough to see Chelsea past Portsmouth 4-0 on a day where Portsmouth showed up in body, but not in competition.

Roman Abramovich wanted beautiful football and brought in the man who he thought could bring it, Luis Felipe Scolari. The Chelsea performances of the last two seasons defensive yet steady. Click to continue reading...

England have been missing a rampaging forward ever since Alan Shearer retired from national duty in 2000.  Gabriel Agbonlahor has the physique, the skill and the attitude to finally replace Shearer at the center of England's attack. A potted history of England's strikers since 2000: Michael Owen has continued to shine whenever he's pulled on the England [. Click to continue reading...

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Following the squad announcement of the England national team for their friendly encounter with Czech Republic, the stunning re-emergence of Emile Heskey into the international setup is a decision which has to be looked at with considerable surprise. The Wigan striker has a worthy 45 caps to his name and it is clear that Capello is one of Heskey's leading supporters, but is it not time to give others a chance rather than reverting back to old tactics? Click to continue reading...

The time has finally arrived. Word.

Chelsea begins a new era today as it opens the 2008-09 season against Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge. The match marks the debut for Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who returns to club football for the first time in seven years.

The Blues are not only looking to extend their immaculate home unbeaten streak to 83 games, but also their 21-game Premiership unbeaten run.

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As well all know, the Premier League begins on Saturday, with Arsenal and West Brom getting us under way. Here I have complied my list of predictions for the forthcoming season along with odds from Sky Bet.

Premier League Outright Betting:

1. Chelsea - 7/4.
2. Man United - 11/8.

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Andriy Voronin's days at Liverpool appear to be numbered following the Ukrainian striker's admission that his first-team prospects are non-existent.

Voronin has endured a less than stellar time of things since arriving at Anfield on a free transfer last summer.

Despite leap-frogging Peter Crouch in the pecking order last season - much to the bewilderment of many, it must be said - the 29-year-old failed to establish himself in the starting XI due to a combination of injury, poor form and the brilliance of Fernando Torres. Click to continue reading...

Each month Premiership Talk poses questions to its readers in the forum and publishes their answers. The two questions this month are as follows:

1. Which team do you think will surprise the most people this year and why?
2. Which player do you think will surprise the most people this year and why?

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Reports from the Middle East indicate that Dubai International Capital (DIC) are ready to re-launch their Liverpool takeover bid, as tensions mount between manager Rafael Benitez and the club's current owners.

DIC attempted to take control of the Merseyside club in March, but their £400million bid was rebuffed despite the widening rift between co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Click to continue reading...

So, Manchester United has picked up another piece of silverware after beating Portsmouth 3-1 on penalties in the annual curtain raiser to the new season. The game, which ended 0-0 in regular time, was a bit of a sleeper at times with Man United controlling large portions of the match but unable to score. Click to continue reading...

(Summary is not available.) Click to continue reading...

Everyone has one: a mate who spends ages in front of the mirror before heading out on Friday evening, dousing himself in deodorant and preening like a wannabe Casanova despite the fact that it's obvious to all that he's not going to pull. He'll return home later that night, alone as always, and, ahem, get a grip of himself. Click to continue reading...

Just like Manchester City and Everton, Portsmouth is coming off their best season in England's top division in years, and I'm not sure there'd be much argument from the South Coast side's supporters by saying it was the best season in club history. Portsmouth wound up in 8th place, their highest-ever finish in the Premiership (though not in the old First Division). Click to continue reading...

GILLINGHAM fans were last night rumoured to be mounting a legal bid against Peter Crouch after he called residents of Gillingham a bunch of ‘toothless hillbillies' in his autobiography. It comes after a Napoli fan successfully sued Inter Milan this week for displaying banners at the San Siro claiming that Naples was the ‘sewer of [. Click to continue reading...

LIVERPOOL Notable arrivals: Robbie Keane (Tottenham), David Ngog (PSG), Philipp Degen (Borussia Dortmund), Andrea Dossena (Udinese), Diego Cavalieri (Palmeiras), Vincent Lucas Weijl (AZ Alkmaar), Emmanuel Mendy (Murcia Deportivo). Notable departures: Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), John Arne Riise (Roma), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth),. Click to continue reading...

Gareth Barry's dream of finally joining Liverpool now lies in the hands of the club's American owners.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has given up hope of keeping the England star at his club and told Rafa Benitez that Barry is all theirs.

But the Liverpool manager is now sweating over whether joint owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks will stump up the £18m needed to clinch the drawn out deal. Click to continue reading...

The likelihood of Xabi Alonso leaving Liverpool this summer continues to decrease, with reports emerging that the club's American owners are preparing to top up the transfer kitty themselves.

Prior to EURO 2008 it seemed a foregone conclusion that Alonso would end his four-year spell on Merseyside to join Juventus. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is set to field his £40million strike force of Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane for the first time in tomorrow's friendly against Rangers at Ibrox and expects his side's goal drought to come to an end.

Torres and Keane are expected to start in Glasgow as Liverpool start a run of three games in a week before their Champions League third qualifying round tie first leg away to Standard Liege. Click to continue reading...

Rafa Benitez is unconcerned by his striking pool's far-from-stellar hit-rate during pre-season, insisting that a multitude of goals will come from all around his side.

Only fringe-man Andriy Voronin, of all people, has found the net amongst Liverpool's strikers in five pre-season outings.

In fact, the Reds haven't found the net at all in 180 minutes, drawing a blank against Hertha Berlin and Villarreal. Click to continue reading...