Okay, with Tottenham's draw with Blackburn today, I believe I have the scenarios down for Europe correctly....someone jump in if I'm wrong. Pompey pretty much has to win on Sunday against Arsenal. If they do win, then one of two things needs to happen: Bolton needs to draw or lose to Aston Villa. Reading needs to draw or lose at Blackburn. If BOTH Bolton and Reading draw or lose, then Pompey's straight in the UEFA Cup. If only one of those things happen, it's the Intertoto Cup for Pompey. If neither happen, ********-all. There is one remote scenario where Pompey can get into the Intertoto Cup with a draw, and that if if Blackburn beats Reading by either three goals or four (any less and we won't pass Reading in goal differential; any more and Blackburn will pass us in goal differential; all three would be lying on 54 points).
As I said in the Bolton forum, Portsmouth didn't apply for the Intertoto. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/6411501.stm
Thanks for the correction. Per ESPN (Also posted in the Bolton Forum) ""Portsmouth have confirmed they are taking part in the £1million Barclays Asia Trophy tournament in Hong Kong from July 24 to 29, instead of the Intertoto Cup which was a possible insurance plan for UEFA Cup qualification in case they finish below seventh in the Premiership table. " Booo. 'Arry himself noted that it's a very easy step from Intertoto to UEFA, just win a home-and-home against a European lesser light. Very cautious, unconfident move by the Pompey brass.
I agree. I would have liked to see some balls and and go for it instead of the Asian thing. Who knows though, maybe there some marketing plans behind in the rational..... although that seems somewhat unlikely.