The world's oldest football competition, the FA Cup Final, is on at Wembley at 2am Sunday morning (New Zealand time).
Here's a look at the line-ups for Portsmouth and Cardiff City.
Portsmouth Player Profiles
David James. Age 37.
Reinstated as England's No.1 goalkeeper under new manager Fabio
Capello but has missed Portsmouth's last three premier league games
with a calf injury. Crucial to a side which has broken the club
record for most clean sheets in a season, as evidenced by him
making the shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association
player of the year award. Will want to avoid another cup clanger
after his weak clearance for Liverpool gave Eric Cantona the chance
to score Manchester United's winner in 1996 and dropping a corner
kick that allowed Roberto Di Matteo to score for Chelsea in
their
2000 win over Aston Villa.
Glen Johnson. Age 23.
Former Chelsea defender who was a regular in England's
under-21 side. Made his senior international debut as a 19-year-old
in 2003. His willingness to push forward down the right flank is
perhaps the most exciting feature of his game. This season he has
finally delivered on the promise which prompted Chelsea to pay 6
million pounds for him whilst still in his teens.
Sol Campbell. Age 33.
Another injury concern for Pompey with a hamstring problem. The
solid defender has enjoyed a resurgence since joining Portsmouth
from Arsenal two years ago and earned a re-call to the England
side, for whom he has earned 73 caps. The club last week scotched
rumours the cup final would be their captain's last for Pompey.
Sylvain Distin. Age 30.
The Frenchman joined Portsmouth from Manchester City at the start
of the season and immediately looked at ease alongside Campbell at
the heart of the backline. Tall, agile and commanding in the air as
well as on the ground.
Hermann Hreidarsson. Age 33.
Versatile defender able to play at centre-back or on the left. Good
in the air and a regular in the Icelandic national side.
Lassana Diarra. Age 23.
Ended a brief spell at Arsenal in January this year after tough
competition at the Emirates Stadium restricted him to just 13
appearances. The French midfielder's talents were previously
spotted by Chelsea, where he was named young player of the season
in his first year in 2005-06.
Papa Bouba Diop. Age 30.
An instant hit with Fratton Park fans after joining from
Fulham on transfer deadline day in August 2007, the Senagalese
midfielder made his mark around the globe when he scored the first
goal of the 2002 World Cup to shock title holders France 1-0.
Sulley Muntari. Age 23.
A key player in Ghana's midfield, starred in his
country's 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic at the 2006 World
Cup. Joined last year from Italian club Udinese. Along with Diarra
has been a revelation in the centre of midfield.
Niko Kranjcar. Age 23.
Made his senior debut at just 16 with Dinamo Zagreb in
his native Croatia and became the club's youngest ever captain
while still a teenager. Coached by his father, Zlatko, in the 2006
World Cup and has 40 international caps. Initially struggled to
hold his place in the Pompey side but is now an integral part of
their midfield and Arsenal are rumoured to be keen on signing him
in the summer.
Kanu. Age 31.
Captained Nigeria to Olympic gold in 1996 when he was named African
Footballer of the Year. After the Games, he joined Inter Milan,
where a medical examination found a heart defect requiring surgery.
Became known for scoring spectacular goals at Arsenal but faded
into the background with the emergence of Thierry Henry as the
Gunners' first-choice striker. Came on as a late substitute in
Arsenal's 2002 FA Cup final victory. Joined Pompey in 2006 after
two years with West Bromwich Albion.
Milan Baros. Age 26.
Scored 19 goals in 68 appearances with Liverpool before moving to
Aston Villa in 2005. Was top scorer in the 2004 European
Championships but has
rarely shown that form since.
Sean Davis. Age 28.
Midfielder who came off the bench to replace Kanu in the
cup semi-final victory over West Brom. Earmarked by manager Harry
Redknapp as a player making a strong case for inclusion in the
final line-up.
David Nugent. Age 23.
Won his England debut in March 2007 when he was still at
Championship team Preston North End. He scored as a late substitute
in a 3-0 win over Andorra. Joined Portsmouth four months later and
replaced Baros off the bench against West Brom.
Jamie Ashdown. Age 27.
Able keeper in line to replace James between the posts if the No.1
custodian's injury keeps him out of the final.
Lauren. Age 31.
Made the right-back position his own at Arsenal, where he collected
two Premier League titles and three FA Cup winners' medals. The
North London club let him go after a knee injury sidelined him for
nearly a year and the Portsmouth boss snapped him up in January
2007. Retired from international football in 2002 after an
illustrious career with Cameroon.
Pedro Mendes. Age 29.
A tireless midfielder who shoots soundly from range, the
Portuguese star scored both goals in Portsmouth's crucial match
against Manchester City to help secure Premiership survival in
2005-06. After being a regular in his first two seasons, has
recently been reduced to a peripheral figure, with Diarra, Diop and
Muntari ahead of him in the central midfield pecking order.
John Utaka. Age 26.
Nigerian international winger returning from an ankle problem.
Scored consecutive hat-tricks for French top-flight team Rennes
last year before moving to Portsmouth, where he scored on
debut.
Harry Redknapp. Age 61.
Returned to Portsmouth for a second spell with the club
facing the threat of relegation in December 2005. A good run
towards the end of the season, plus an injection of cash from
Russian tycoon Alexandre Gaydamak secured the club's future. The
following season, the verbose Londoner lead Portsmouth to a
ninth-placed finish, the club's highest since the 1950s. Was among
five men arrested in November in connection with an investigation
into alleged corruption in soccer. Redknapp, who remains on bail,
has not been charged and denies any wrongdoing. He has launched
legal action
over his arrest.
Cardiff City Player Profiles
Peter Enckelman. Age 31.
Most famous for his horror gaffe in 2002 when playing in
the Birmingham derby for Aston Villa, the Finnish goalkeeper joined
on loan from Blackburn in January, taking over from the injured
Michael Oakes and holding his place with solid displays
thereafter.
Kevin McNaughton. Age 26.
Brought in from Aberdeen in the summer of 2006. A solid performer
at right back whose form in South Wales has led to his recall to
the Scottish national side. Scored a superb volley in the
fourth-round tie with Hereford.
Tony Capaldi. Age 26.
Norwegian-born Northern Ireland international who failed to make
the breakthrough at Birmingham before getting an opportunity with
Plymouth. Can play in midfield but deployed as an attacking left
back, he joined The Bluebirds on a Bosman transfer last year.
Glenn Loovens. Age 24.
The former Holland under-21 international joined Cardiff from
Feyenoord for a bargain 250,000 pounds in 2006 after a successful
loan spell the previous season. Statistically the most important
player in the side. Cardiff failed to win any of the nine games he
missed through injury this year - and it was a similar record last
season.
Roger Johnson. Age 25.
A fan-favourite, no-nonsense centre half who joined from
Wycombe two years ago. His partnership with Loovens has kept club
captain Darren Purse out of the side.
Gavin Rae. Age 30.
Experienced midfielder who captained Rangers for a time last season
before losing his place when Walter Smith took over as manager. The
Scotland international joined Cardiff on a free transfer in the
summer and has played a leadership role in front of the back
four.
Stephen McPhail. Age 28
Has perhaps the most cultured left foot outside of the Premier
League and after a long fallow period following his early success
as one of David O'Leary's "babies" at Leeds has shown since moving
to Cardiff in 2006 that he is capable of becoming a top-flight
player once more. With Darren Purse out of the starting eleven, has
stood in as captain.
Peter Whittingham. Age 23.
Showed promise when breaking into the Aston Villa side as a
left-sided midfielder earning England under-21 honours, but found
himself out of Martin O'Neill's plans and was sold to Cardiff. In
and out of the side early in the season but has secured a regular
wing role and scored maybe the goal of the FA Cup so far against
Middlesbrough in the fifth round.
Paul Parry. Age 27.
Capable of playing on the wing or in attack, Parry was
plucked from non-league Hereford in 2004 and went on to win
international honours with Wales shortly afterwards. His displays
which have kept former England winger Trevor Sinclair on the bench
has sparked interest from other clubs and he may be a target for
one of the promoted Championship sides post season.
Joe Ledley. Age 21.
Came through the ranks before making his debut in 2004. Has already
earned 20 caps for Wales, despite his professed loyalty to his
hometown club Saturday may be his final appearance in a Cardiff
shirt with Everton believed to be lining up a 3.5 million pounds
offer. Joint top-scorer with Parry, having notched 11 goals,
including the winner in the semi-final against Barnsley.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Age 36.
His much-hyped partnership with Robbie Fowler failed to deliver the
goals manager Dave Jones hoped for, but Hasselbaink has shown a
maturity this season, often leading the line in a lone role helping
the progress of the young stars around him. His goal in the fifth
round against Wolves showed he remains a lethal finisher when his
ageing legs, which mean he rarely lasts 90 minutes, get him into
position.
Steven Thompson. Age 29.
Fiery striker who fell out with his manager after the
signing of the two veteran strikers in the summer left him on the
bench - a role he endured previously at Rangers. The Scotland
international usually replaces Hasselbaink in the last third of
games. He wrote Cardiff's FA Cup Final song - a tradition finalists
follow each year.
Robbie Fowler. Age 33.
Perhaps the most natural English goalscorer since Jimmy Greaves,
for a decade fans have been speculating how good he could have been
have been if he had the professionalism of Alan Shearer or Michael
Owen. Joined Cardiff last summer after his emotional 18-month
second spell at Liverpool. Has a good goal ratio when he has played
this season but a hip injury has stopped him taking part in the cup
run. May recover to take up a position on the bench.
Trevor Sinclair. Age 35.
Has been dogged by injury since representing England in
the 2002 World Cup. Played in the semi-final due to Parry's injury
but likely to be back on the bench in the final.
Aaron Ramsey. Age 17.
Highly-rated Wales under-21 international has increasingly been
involved off the bench in the second half of this season, playing
in four of their five cup games.
Darren Purse. Age 31.
Reliable centre back who previously played in the Premier League
for Birmingham and West Brom. The club captain has lost his place
in the side to Roger Johnson but may lift the trophy if he comes on
towards the end of the game. Controversially the Welsh FA
overturned a red card he picked up in a match with Burnley last
month making him available for the final.
Dave Jones. Age 51.
A more dour figure than Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp, the
Liverpudlian has earned respect as a manager over the past decade,
taking Stockport to promotion to the second tier in English soccer
for the first time in their history and returning Wolves to the
top-flight for the first time in 19 years. Took over at Ninian Park
for the start of the 2006-07 and though he was under pressure
earlier this season, taking The Bluebirds to their first cup final
appearance in 81 years has silenced any doubters.
