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Harry heads back to Portsmouth

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 17/10/2009
Football betting

Harry Redknapp will make most of the headlines when he takes Tottenham Hotspur back to former club Portsmouth on a busy Saturday of Premier League action.

Redknapp may have led the south coast club to their first piece of major silverware in more than 50 years with victory in the 2008 FA Cup Final, but he is still likely to be given a rough ride by the home fans.

Since his surprise departure just over 12 months ago, Pompey have imploded with severe financial difficulties leading to the dismantling of a once successful team, who now find themselves adrift at the foot of the table.

Redknapp hasn't helped his cause by raiding Fratton Park to sign star players like Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar for cut-price fees, before declaring this week that he is relishing the prospect of returning.

"I've been the best manager they ever had and I am very proud of what I achieved there," he declared bullishly.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to have done wrong, so I'm not bothered in the slightest."

Elsewhere, the focus will also be on Arsenal striker Eduardo when Birmingham City visit the Emirates Stadium.

Hong Kong business man Carson Yeung may have completed his takeover the Blues during the international break, but the last time these two sides met in February 2008 is remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Eduardo was left with a career-threatening broken leg and dislocated ankle following a challenge by Birmingham's Martin Taylor.

The game ended in a 2-2 draw but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger inflamed the situation by calling for Taylor to banned for life. He later retracted his comments but may not be forgotten by Blues fans.

Meanwhile, Sunderland host Liverpool in a game which the Reds dare not lose.

Rafael Benitez's side slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea before the international break to leave their title challenge already hanging by the narrowest of threads after three defeats from their eight league games so far.

Sportsbook title favourites Chelsea take on Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge as they look to maintain their grip on top spot.

Will Chelsea be crowned Premier League champions this season? - Latest Football betting

Second-placed Manchester United are at home to Bolton Wanderers but will be without star striker Wayne Rooney with the calf problem which forced him to miss England's midweek qualifier against Belarus.

Everton take on Wolves at Goodison Park, while the day's final fixture sees Stoke City play host to a struggling West Ham United side who can't seem to buy a win at the moment.

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