Pedigree: They have been at Fratton Park since 1898 and this is their seventh successive campaign in the top-flight - but since Harry Redknapp left for Tottenham the club has been in freefall. Last season they played in Europe, but a return to that level seems a distant dream.
They're The Ones Who...are in chaos. Nobody seems to know when - or if - their proposed takeover is going to be completed, Glen Johnson has left, and no big names have been signed. The build-up to the new season really could not be going much worse.
If Money Were No Object: They would not be in this mess! Peter Crouch would be given £70,000-a-week to stop him from leaving and Glen Johnson would not have left to join Liverpool. They would also get Harry Redknapp back in charge.
Stat Attack: They conceded 57 goals last season. That's the same number as Middlesbrough, who were relegated.
World Cup Watch: David James may be in the final years of his career but he still harbours realistic hopes of heading to South Africa as England's first choice keeper. Croatia's Niko Kranjcar, Nigerian midfielder John Utaka and Senegal star Papa Bouba Diop could all be there, too.
Last Year's Magic Moment: Kanu fired Pompey into a two-goal led against AC Milan at Fratton Park. The ground was buzzing and the club were at an all-time high. Then the Italians hit back with two goals in the final six minutes and Portsmouth's season slid downhill from there.
In: Aaron Mokoena, Blackburn, free; Steve Finnan, Espanyol, free.
Out: Glen Johnson, Liverpool, £18m; Peter Crouch, Tottenham, £9m; Djimi Traore, Monaco, undisclosed; Sean Davis, Bolton, free, Lauren, releasedl Glen Little, released; Noe Pamarot, released; Jerome Thomas, released.
Driving Ambition: If the proposed takeover goes through then they can hope for a mid-table finish and another push for the FA Cup. But if the Abu Dhabi deal falls through? Survival would be an achievement.
The Reality: As disappointing as it may sound to Pompey followers - 16th place would be a success.
How Outsiders View Them: A retro stadium, plenty of pubs near the ground, and a fun weekend on the south coast. A trip to Pompey is always one away fans can look forward to, but nobody outside of the city really tihnks they have any chance of becoming a major force in the Premier League - even if Sulaiman Al Fahim does plough in millions of pounds.
Our Mole Says: An early-season struggle will be followed by Paul Hart's exit by Christmas. Expect Al Fahim to fund a desperate squad renovation in January, which eventually proves a success and Pompey stay up by the skin of their teeth.
Spending Money: If Sulaiman Al Fahim comes in then there will be no limit to how much they can splash - the concern is that he will not arrive officially before the transfer window closes. If that's the case then the side will built on a shoestring, even though they have the £18m from Glen Johnson's Liverpool move.
The Boss: Paul Hart deserves his chance but there is so much uncertainty around the club that it will be difficult for him to focus on matters on the pitch. He joined the club to head up their Youth Development but is well respected and kept them up last term.
What To Say About The Squad: There is plenty of talent still on board and the likes of Niko Kranjcar and David Nugent have the potential to push the club into a new exciting era.
What Not To Say About The Squad: It has no backbone as the core of the side are no longer on board. Sol Campbell is out of contract while Glen Johnson, Sean Davis and Peter Crouch (who will soon leave) will all be sorely missed.
Best Friends or Bust-up: Best friends. Apart from the fella who rings the annoying cow bell throughout every game, there is not much to despise about Pompey. They don't pose much threat to the top sides - and newly promoted outfits always fancy their chances of picking up at least a point.
Our Prediction: A 16th place finish and an FA Cup run.
Key Player: Niko Kranjcar. If he stays fit then he is Pompey's best hope of having any success.
Title Odds:750/1
Relegation Odds: 4/1
Last Season's Form
League: 14th
FA Cup: Fourth round
League Cup: Third round
Top League Scorers: Peter Crouch 11, Jermain Defoe 7
Discipline: Yellow 62; Red 5
Team facts
Nickname: Pompey
Ground: Fratton Park
Capacity: 20,688
Address: Frogmore Road, Portsmouth, PO4 8RA
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