Southampton v Portsmouth
The FA Cup, Fourth Round
St. Mary's Stadium
29 January 2005



Former Portsmouth hero Steve Claridge insists Saturday's south coast FA Cup clash will be a passionate encounter despite both sides' league worries.

Southampton host their close rivals in the Fourth Round of the country's oldest cup competition, and Claridge is relishing the encounter.

He spent three years at Fratton Park between 1998 and 2001 - and feels Harry Redknapp will be looking to gain personal pride against his old club.

Redknapp left Portsmouth in November, before controversially moving along the coast in March.

Southampton are currently in the relegation zone, while Pompey have suffered a recent slump in form, and Claridge believes a typical local battle is now in store.

He said: "This game is not the novelty it once was and it's quite ironic that now Portsmouth are in the Premiership Southampton are in a dogfight for the first time in a while.

"In all honesty this game will probably mean more to Pompey than Saints. Harry needs to concentrate on keeping Southampton up and that is their main priority - but make no mistake both teams will be wanting to win.

"Of course Harry will want to win it for personal pride as well and it means so much to both sets of supporters."

And Claridge, currently playing at Wycombe, is finding it hard to predict a winner ahead of the big match.

He added: "If you asked me two weeks ago who I thought would win I would have said Portsmouth - but now I'm not so sure.

"So it is really difficult to say who will win and it really could go either way.

"Home advantage may swing it a little in Southampton's favour, but it will be a great, passionate affair and it is a cup game to look forward to."