Portsmouth take on Cardiff City at Wembley in the final of the greatest cup competition in football, and excitement is mounting across the town.

Supporters from both clubs living in Northampton have spoken of their hopes before the big game.

Cardiff diehard Ian Walton, aged 37, of Far Cotton, believes his team are going to win 2-1, with Robbie Fowler coming off the bench to score the winner.

The forklift truck driver, whose children also support the Bluebirds, said: "It is absolutely amazing that they have reached the final. I think it helps us being the underdogs. I'm not nervous, in fact I'm quite confident."

Portsmouth fan Maureen Hill, aged 59, of Tanfield Lane, Rushmere, said: "I think Portsmouth will win, I think they will win 2-1. It wouldn't surprise me if Cardiff scored first because Pompey seem to take a long time to get into games and I think there will be a penalty.

"Having been born in Portsmouth, I have been a supporter all my life through thick and thin."

Bookies in the town say the game is still generating a lot of interest, despite it not featuring one of the big clubs.

Lawrence Mcall, Ladbrokes district supervisor for Northampton, said more punters were backing Portsmouth.

He said: "It's the year of the underdogs and it has really caught people's imagination. There is still a lot of interest, despite there not being a big team involved.

"There's a lot of activity and I think people are looking forward to it because it's a bit different."

Steve Hamlyn, owner of Semilong Racing in Semilong, said the most popular bets being placed were Portsmouth to win in 90 minutes at odds of 8-11 and Cardiff to score two or more goals at 3-1.

He said: "I expect the interest to be pretty much the same as if the big teams were playing.

"People like to watch a cup final and the fact that it's two smaller teams adds to the appeal."

Pubs and bars are also expecting a roaring trade.

The Picturedrome, in Kettering Road, Northampton, is showing the match on its big screen and assistant manager, Pippa Hadwin, said: "We are expecting a good crowd and we have got the biggest screen in the town, which all adds to the atmosphere."