Portsmouth will welcome rivals Southampton to Fratton Park on Sunday for the second South Coast Derby of the Championship season.
The reverse fixture at St Mary's ended goalless, with the hosts now a point above the relegation zone and their visitors seven points better off in 15th spot.
Contents
Portsmouth vs Southampton prediction: Who can record a first South Coast Derby win since 2005?
Key stats
- Portsmouth have won two and drawn one of their last three home league games.
- Only one team have scored fewer than Portsmouth's 23 Championship goals this season.
- Southampton have picked up just one point from their last five Championship away games.
Correct score prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Southampton
Southampton made an important return to winning ways on Wednesday and will hope to outclass their rivals, but these derbies are often cagey affairs, and with the hosts rejuvenated in their survival bid we see another draw on the cards.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Southampton given the edge at Fratton Park
- HOME: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 6/5 (2.20) – 45.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, bookmakers anticipate a close game and put Southampton as slight favourites with a 45.5% chance.
Portsmouth can be backed at 32.3%, while a draw is in the equation with a 28.6% chance. Also, feel free to check out our Today’s betting tips page, as well as our Championship predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Three straight draws
Sunday's meeting is just the third since April 2012, with Southampton winning an FA Cup tie 4-0 in 2019 and the reverse league fixture in September 2025 ending in a goalless stalemate.
Historically, Southampton boast 35 H2H victories to Portsmouth's 21.
England Championship 14/09/25
Southampton
Portsmouth
Portsmouth preview: Can Pompey move clear of relegation zone?
After two wins and a draw from their last four league games, Portsmouth sit a point above the Championship's bottom three.
They remain without attackers Callum Lang and Josh Murphy through injury, with Harvey Blair, Josh Knight, Mark Kosznovszky and Hayden Matthews also sidelined.
Predicted lineup: Schmid (GK); Devlin, Poole, Ogilvie, Swanson; Adams, Dozzell; Segecic, Chaplin, Alli & Bishop
Last five results:
- Watford 1-1 Portsmouth
- Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Portsmouth
- Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
- Bristol City 5-0 Portsmouth
- Portsmouth 2-1 Charlton
Southampton preview: Unchanged from midweek win?
Southampton could field the same starting XI from Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Sheffield United, ending a seven-game league winless streak.
Oriol Romeu, Mads Roerslev and Samuel Edozie remain out of aciton, while Ross Stewart made a first start since September up front in midweek after his own lengthy layoff.
Predicted lineup: Peretz (GK); Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Jelert; Fellows, Jander, Downes, Welington; Azaz, Stewart & Scienza
Last five results:
- Southampton 1-0 Sheffield United
- Southampton 1-2 Hull
- Doncaster 2-3 Southampton
- Middlesbrough 4-0 Southampton
- Southampton 0-0 Millwall
Player to watch: Finn Azaz
A recent dip in form for Finn Azaz has coincided with Southampton's tough run in the last month, showing his importance to the Saints, with the Irish international having inspired their hot start to life under Tonda Eckert.
Azaz will hope to get back to his best in Sunday's derby, having managed six goals and three assists in the league so far this term after notching up 12 and 11 respectively for Middlesbrough last time around.