Portsmouth vs Southampton: Carabao Cup – Preview and Predictions

Southampton travel along the South Coast on Tuesday evening to face their arch-rivals Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup Third-Round.

It will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2012 when the fixture was played out in the Championship.

Saints now find themselves two divisions above Pompey and will be looking to further improve the South Coast derby record that they have built up over the years.

They have 19 wins over their rivals in the past, whilst 10 draws and nine losses have also been played out since their first clash in an FA Cup tie all the way back in 1906.

Travelling to Fratton Park tomorrow will see Saints needing to improve on their more recent history when playing Pompey away from home; they haven’t won in Portsmouth in the last four times of asking.

Saints are strong favourites

The gap between Saints and Pompey is the biggest that it’s ever been ahead of a meeting between the two sides and the strength of the respective squads should show this.

Both teams have had mixed starts to their seasons, but if Saints can put together a performance as a tight unit and show their talent in attack then there’s no reason to suggest they won’t win this one.

Whilst boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is adored by the St Mary’s faithful and has improved the team significantly, his opposite number in Kenny Jackett is under great pressure following Portsmouth’s start to the season.

Saints can use this to their advantage and play on the tense atmosphere that is sure to greet them as they arrive at Fratton Park, but they mustn’t be overawed by the occasion.

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• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

What’s in Pompey’s favour?

The beginning of the 2019/20 season has been a disappointment for Kenny Jackett’s side and they find themselves 20th in League One after just one win from seven games.

However, there’s nothing like a derby atmosphere to produce a strong display from an otherwise under-performing group of players.

Their manager is under severe pressure currently and they will be facing Saints in front of a packed Fratton Park, so they will need to be sure to play above themselves for this one and put in a performance for their manager.

They also have a good cup record this year having won in two previous rounds of the Carabao Cup and in two EFL Trophy games too.

Team News

Saints

Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Monday that Moussa Djenepo will remain out for a longer period of time as he continues to recover from injury.

Nathan Redmond returned against Bournemouth on Friday but may not be risked again on Tuesday, whilst all other options remain available for selection.

Predicted Saints line-up

Alex McCarthy, Yan Valery, Jan Bednarek, Jannik Vestergaard, Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, James Ward-Prowse, Sofiane Boufal, Danny Ings, Che Adams

Portsmouth

Kenny Jackett confirmed that Portsmouth captain Tom Naylor will face a late test to prove his fitness to face Saints after picking up a knock against Wycombe on Saturday.

Forward Ellis Harrison is banned after being sent-off for two bookable offences in the same game.

Predicted Portsmouth line-up

Craig MacGillivray, James Bolton, Brandon Haunstrup, Oliver Hawkins, Christian Burgess, Tom Naylor, Ben Close, Andrew Cannon, Ronan Curtis, Brett Pitman, John Marquis

Predicted score

Portsmouth 1-3 Saints