• Premier League

Pompey's axed heroes looking to give parting gift

Portsmouth's players, many of whom will be playing their last game for the club, head to Wembley in the hope of causing one of the greatest upsets in the competition's history when they take on Chelsea in Saturday's final.

When you consider the two league meetings between the clubs this season - a combined score of 7-1 in favour of Chelsea - the result seems a foregone conclusion. Yet Portsmouth, free of the burden of a relegation scrap, have looked a fearsome outfit during their cup run.

"The FA Cup is nothing to do with the Premier League and all the issues that have been going on," defender Tal Ben-Haim told the Guardian. "When the players play without so much pressure, maybe [this] is the result. Avram [Grant, the manager] has been a big part of that because he knows how to relax the players."

Their passage to the final has not been without potential pitfalls - few gave them a chance of beating an in-form Tottenham side in the semi, while their trip to arch-rivals Southampton earlier in the competition could have provided a potential banana skin.

They overcame both hurdles in style, and now they stand just 90 minutes away from ending a desperately disappointing season on a triumphant note. Luck has not been on their side in the run-up to the final, however, as a spate of injuries have disrupted their preparation.

The most damaging to their chances is the knock sustained by key midfielder Jamie O'Hara, who is a doubt having not been judged fit enough to start last weekend's Premier League defeat at Everton.

It has also been a turbulent week for Chelsea on the injury front. On Wednesday, John Terry's foot injury looked set to keep him out for the cup final and beyond. The skipper is insisting he is 100% fit, however, giving the Blues - who go in search of the first league and cup double in their history - a boost on the eve of the Wembley showpiece.

"It [the double] has never been done by anyone at the football club and me being captain as well, I take a lot of pride in that," Terry said. "We have worked so hard this season, it's been a tough ride along the way but we came through strong in the league together and that's what we have to do for one more game."

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti - the first Italian to claim the Premier League title as manager - has said he intends to field the same starting team as in Sunday's 8-0 defeat of Wigan Athletic. He may be forced into making a change, with right-back Branislav Ivanovic's fitness up in the air.

Grant has made Portsmouth a tough nut to crack in open play, meaning Chelsea may find set-pieces a fruitful source. Michael Ballack, who could be playing his last game for Chelsea, is dangerous in the air - back him to score the first in a 3-0 win. That's at 44/1 with Stan James. Click here to join and receive a £25 free bet.

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