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Premier League Preview: Depleted United desperate for first win

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The champions have not fared well against Pompey in recent seasons and tonight will provide a tough test, says Max Liu.

Manchester United travel to Portsmouth tonight knowing that a win is essential if they are to keep up with early title pace-setters Chelsea.

Both Harry Redknapp and Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for positive reactions from their players after disappointing opening day performances.

Despite having beaten Pompey already this season, in a friendly and on penalties in the Community Shield, Fratton Park has not been a happy hunting ground for United. They drew there in their second fixture last season with Cristiano Ronaldo receiving a red card for a headbutt and in 2006/07 lost 2 - 1 when Rio Ferdinand knocked a decisive own goal past Edwin Van der Sar.

While Luiz Felipe Scolari has said that the Champions will not be "scared" yet, Chelsea have been quick to demonstrate their appetite for a first league title in three seasons. Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his players that they cannot afford a repeat of the sluggish start which saw them trail the blues by six points after three fixtures last season.

United's [1.93] to win tonight seems relatively low when one takes account of their lacklustre draw with Newcastle but Portsmouth [5.1] were abject at Stamford Bridge and played off the park in the community shield. There may be value in [3.45] for a repeat of last season's draw.

While the quest for a new striker rumbles on and Crisitiano Ronaldo remains on the sidelines, Ferguson will be hoping that Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez can hit the ground running. However, the Argentine is returning from a family bereavment for his first game of the season and Rooney's lack of form has been well documented afer poor performances on the opening day and in England's mid-week draw. When one considers that United have never scored more than two goals in a league game at Fratton Park since Pompey's return to the top flight, [1.76] for Under 2.5 goals may be worth looking at.

The combination of Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe has not exactly set the world alight yet either.

This is United's last fixture this month, their Super Cup clash with Zenit St Petersberg means they will play one game less than their rivals in August and while they do make a fetish of being notorious slow starters and, as the manager says, "doing things the hard way," they will want to minimise Chelsea's early lead and will be going all out for the win.

Portsmouth have a full squad to choose from but as well as Ronaldo, United will be without the injured Carrick, Hargreaves, Saha, Park and, possibly, Ryan Giggs.

Frazer Campbell looked a lively prospect in the Newcastle game. He starred on loan at Hull last season and coming off the bench to battle an ageing Sol Campbell could bring out the best in him. He can be backed at [5.0] in the To Score market.