Leeds United manager Simon Grayson is expecting a testing tussle against Portsmouth in front of a 32,000-plus crowd at Elland Road today.

Though Pompey have been beset by a raft of problems this season, Grayson predicted that the south coast outfit, led by Steve Cotterill, will not be easy opposition.

Even though Leeds are bidding to stretch their undefeated run to 11 games, Grayson is aware that Portsmouth have prised out two successive wins on their recent travels and also showed fighting qualities in coming from behind to get a draw at home to Millwall on Boxing Day.

Said the Leeds boss: “They have some good players and a fantastic starting XI.

“It’ll be a good test. There will be a fantastic atmosphere and hopefully we will come out on top.”

Leeds will need to check on a series “of knocks and bruises” sustained by their ranks after the 2-2 draw at Leicester, where a 2-0 half-time lead was surrendered by Grayson’s men.

However, Grayson declared himself satisfied with a point despite the loss of that advantage.

He said: “I thought that until their first goal we were in control of the game. We were dominating it, passing it around and I don’t think Kasper Schmeichel had a save to make.

“We got our deserved lead and looked like we could extend that. Unfortunately we made one mistake which contributed to the penalty and that gave Leicester the momentum to try to get back into it.

“But before the game we would have settled for a point because this is a difficult place to come to. They have some top players and are undefeated here under Sven Goran Eriksson.”

And Grayson praised referee Bates for not sending off Schmeichel.

“It was a close call. Some referees might have sent him off, others would have given him a yellow card. The referee made a decision and I think it was the right decision,” he said.