Manchester, England (My Sportsbook) - Even Portsmouth has to be surprised at its lofty position in the Premiership standings as the South Coast team is currently in fourth place, just six points back of pace setters Chelsea and Manchester United.
They will get a chance to close that gap on the Red Devils on Saturday with a visit to Old Trafford, a place that Portsmouth has not left with a victory since 1957.
The game figures to be a high-flying affair featuring two of the Premiership's top scorers in United's Wayne Rooney, and the leading sniper in the EPL with seven goals, Portsmouth's Nwankwo Kanu.
Sir Alex Ferguson welcomes back both Gary Neville (calf) and Ryan Giggs (hamstring), who both sat out Wednesday's Champions League loss against FC Copenhagen. The hosts will be in much better physical shape than their opponents, who enter the fixture with a handful of fitness concerns.
The Portsmouth back line will feature a pair of new starters as Linvoy Primus (hamstring) and Glen Johnson (thigh strain) will be replaced by Andy O'Brien and Noe Pamarot.
Midfielder Gary O'Neil (groin) and striker Benjani Mwaruwari (knee) are also injury concerns, but both are expected to play.
The Fratton Park club narrowly avoided relegation last season, but manager Harry Redknapp's squad does not figure to have that problem this season. Although Portsmouth has lost three of its last five games following a promising start, don't expect them to begin sliding back into reality. United know that they have a live opponent in front of them and will need to continue their strong play on home soil, where they have won 4-of-5 contests, to come away with three points and keep pace with co-leaders Chelsea.
In other action on Saturday, Everton visit Craven Cottage to battle Fulham, Bolton looks to continue its strong start at the Reebok against Wigan, last- place Charlton tries to move up the ladder at home against Manchester City, a resurgent Liverpool side will attempt to build on its recent run of strong play with a win over Reading at Anfield, Watford goes for its first win of the campaign when they welcome Middlesbrough and a pair of struggling sides look to right the ship at St James' Park as Newcastle entertains Sheffield United.
Sunday's EPL slate is highlighted by Chelsea's trip to White Hart Lane to face-off against Tottenham. Arsenal also travels to West Ham in an attempt to climb further up table and Aston Villa, who have earned only three points in the last four matches, host Blackburn.
SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
Fulham - Everton
Bolton - Wigan
Charlton - Manchester City
Liverpool - Reading
Manchester United - Portsmouth
Watford - Middlesbrough
Newcastle - Sheffield United
SUNDAY'S FIXTURES
West Ham - Arsenal
Aston Villa - Blackburn
Tottenham - Chelsea
