Both our Stoke fans expect a win over Portsmouth on Saturday but TEAMtalk's other three tipsters - including a Pompey fan - fancy a 1-1 draw.

The TEAMtalk office has been split all season over whether Stoke can compete in the Premier League this season so we decided to put our money where our mouths are and get our predictions down in writing.

Our Editor Simon Wilkes is confidently predicting the Potters will finish bottom but his Deputy James Marshment thinks they'll just survive while our Insider Mark Holmes, a Stoke season ticket holder, reckons mid-table security beckons.

We've drafted in another Stokie, James Knowles, to give his views each week and we're also speaking to an opposition fan each week to see how they get on predicting the Potters' results against their side.

Last time out

Stoke's early FA Cup exit meant they had no game last weekend so Tony Pulis' troops have had a fortnight to think about their last clash - a 2-0 defeat at Sunderland.

They were not helped by three early injuries and the sending-off of Matthew Etherington - who is now banned for three games - that afternoon, but it did help the 'Opposition' in our league table, with Mackems fan Pete Wightman correctly tipping up a 2-0 success for his side.

Mark fancied the Potters for their first away win of the season, while all our other three tipsters went for draw meaning Pete claimed the only points of the weekend.

That leaves the table, based on a point for a correct result and two for a correct scoreline, looking like this: Simon Wilkes 17, James Marshment 14, Opposition 13, Mark Holmes 11, James Knowles 6.

Stoke v Portsmouth Match Facts

Pompey won their game in hand against Manchester City last weekend to put a bit of breathing space between themselves and the Potters, but Saturday's clash is still a classic six-pointer with just three points seperating the sides.

Stoke would need to win by three clear goals to leapfrog the south-coast club in the table but thee points for either side would go a long way to easing their relegation fears on a weekend that also sees Hull host Tottenham.

Portsmouth ran out 2-1 winners in the corresponding fixture at Fratton Park earlier this season but they must travel to a ground that only three sides - Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United - have taken maximum points from.

Their record in North Staffordshire stands as eight wins, five draws and 15 defeats and so the Potters will be confident of recording their second straight Britannia Stadium success.

The last time these two sides met on Stoke turf was back in December 2002 when Jason Crowe cancelled out a Brynjar Gunnarsson opener to earn Harry Redknapp's side a 1-1 draw in what is now the Championship.

Sky Bet offer 6/1 on a repeat scoreline this weekend, with a 1-0 win for Stoke paying the same.

Predictions

Mark Holmes (TEAMtalk's Insider): I'd say this is our biggest game of the season to date and yet I'm strangely not in the slightest bit nervous, which usually spells trouble!

I don't think it's a must-win game just yet as there are another 36 points to play for after this, but three points would give us a massive shot in the arm and everyone at the club knows that.

I expect Pompey to show us plenty of respect and play for a point so I'd be surprised if the game is won by more than the odd goal. Still, it's no fun going for 1-0 so I'll say a decent 2-0 to the Mighty Potters with James 'that's what I'm talkin about' Beattie getting one and the returning Mama Sidibe the other.

Simon Wilkes (TEAMtalk Editor): Both teams ended long runs without a win recently, with Pompey taking down toothless Manchester City, who were also the last team to lose at the Britannia Stadium despite the Potters having Rory Delap dismissed.

Home form is going to be key for all the relegation candidates, and the Potters have won six of 12 at The Brit, where their vociferous fans really do count as a 12th man.

The hosts will be boosted by the returns of Liam Lawrence and Mama Sidiby, who will be a handful up front and terrorise the visiting defence.

But Paul Hart and Brian Kidd have brought some organisation to Pompey, and their side is still full of international players, so I think they're strong enough to leave the Potteries with a point. 1-1 for me.

James Marshment (TEAMtalk Deputy Editor): The atmosphere in the office is getting tenser by the week, and to his credit, Homzy remains unwavering in his belief that the Potters will survive.

I'm still on the fence about their survival chances having tipped them for a 17th-placed finish at the start of the season, and the home game with Portsmouth probably represents a must-win game for them.

But after the axing of Tony Adams last week and the subsequent win over Man City, confidence appears on the rise for the south coast club.

It was a tight affair when the sides met at Fratton Park earlier in the season, and although Pompey edged it that time, I think the points will be shared this time around. 1-1

James Knowles (Stoke season ticket holder): Having had a couple of weeks off due to our terrible cup record, we go into this match against Pompey boosted by the return of targetman Mama Sidibe and, hopefully, last season's hero Liam Lawrence.

This is a real must win fixture. We lost at Fratton Park against an average Pompey who have since lost Jermain Defoe so we really should have nothing to fear. Buoyed by our vocal home support, I can see us getting the three points.

Although it would be lovely to boost our poor goal difference, the main thing is the points and I am going for a 2-1 victory. Beattie and Whelan will put us in control before a Crouch tap in 10 minutes from time ensures a nervy end!!

And what the opposition think (Ian Pratt - Portsmouth fan): When I looked at the fixture list at the start of the season I was looking forward to this game as I haven't been to Stoke for many years. However, I assumed Pompey would be pushing for a European spot and Stoke struggling to even finish third from bottom - how wrong I was on both counts!

I've been hugely impressed with Stoke all season. They've approached each game positively and played to their strengths. Each player gives their all and they always seem to be working for each other - something that cannot always be said of Pompey this season.

I also think signing James Beattie is hugely important as he's someone with genuine Premier League class and will definitely score goals. I know he had his detractors at Everton, but following his spell with Sheffield United he looks as though he's close to his best again. His long association with Southampton means he will get a lot of stick on Saturday, but he's the sort of player who gets motivated by things like that and I'd back him score against us.

A lot has been said about Pompey selling all their best players. The fact is that there was no way the club can compete with the likes of Inter Milan or Real Madrid so had to let players go when offers came in from those clubs.

Jermaine Defoe started well, but had faded so there weren't too many grumbles when he left either. There are still a lot of top quality players in the squad and certainly more enough for a mid table finish in the Premier League. Last week's win against Manchester City was of course hugely important for the club and it was the first game for a long time when senior players didn't make schoolboy errors and gift opponents goals. It's too early to say whether it was the right thing to sack Tony Adams nor if Paul Hart and Brian Kidd have the midas touch, but suddenly there's a lot more confidence and belief back in the team.

Score prediction? I'll go with 1-1. Beattie is bound to score, but we've got enough to cause Stoke problems and hopefully come away with what would be a very decent result.