Southampton and Portsmouth meet in the championship on Sunday while the South Coast Derby makes a long -awaited return.
This weekend Southampton is organizing Portsmouth on St. Mary’s with bragging for picking up.
The saints come into this huge championship conflict of the back of a mixed start of life Will still. Four league games have yielded five points and registered one victory, two draw and one defeat.
The opening day triumph over Wrexham marks their only competition win so far, and there will be no better game to change that than the South Coast Derby. Still’s Side played a 2-2 draw with Watford for the international break, because they were fed back by a fantastic Nestory Irankunda-free kick on the 81st minute.
As far as Portsmouth is concerned, they are above Southampton who arrive and occupy it 8th. A return of seven points from four games as made for a positive start to their second season since they returned to the championship in 2024.
John Mousinho has attracted a lot of praise for his work in Pompey and the importance of his first South Coast Derby will not be lost.
Pompeius has the wind in their sails after a 1-0 win Preston North End before the break, but they will be underdogs if they want to win to win the first league game between the two since April 2012.
Southampton vs Portsmouth Head-to-head record-Via 11V11.com
Here a handful of our writers do their predictions for the game …
James Ray
“This meeting has been going on for a long time, and now for the first time in 13 years in the same competition, I can’t wait to see how Southampton VS Portsmouth is doing.
“The hosts will be the favorites if the degraded side that has spent well in the summer, and in your big schedule of things, some can say that the pressure from Pompey is taking. I am not sure if I agree with that sentiment, because while the outdoor match will be under -rig, they know how important the outcome of this game is for the fans.
“Both South Coast parties played early this season and I see that continuing. It means that the game can be won by a moment of magic.
“If that is the case, I tend to the saints. I’m going for a narrow home winning, but this can go very easily or end level.”
Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Portsmouth
Harry Mail
“Southampton has made the new season a pretty slow start. They strive for promotion back to the Premier League.
“Will still be won on the opening day against Wrexham. However, they have since been Winloos in their last three trips.
“As far as Portsmouth is concerned, they must be in a self -assured mood after their victory Preston North End. They are at the point of the play-offs after their opening of four trips.
“However, the men of John Mousinho will perform a tough test against their rivals and be at their best. I think they might get a draw here.”
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Portsmouth
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