It's now only a week until Southampton get their Championship season back underway.
Indeed, the next fixture on the 46-game list is a humdinger, as the Saints' arch rivals from down the road in Portsmouth come to St Mary's, hoping that they can come and spoil Tonda Eckert and Co's 100% record on their own patch this season in league action.
Will Eckert even be in the dug-out for the latest instalment of the South Coast Derby?
It's still not known what the German's individual punishment will entail for his involvement in Spygate, with complete silence from the FA.
Away from the ongoing awkwardness involving the 33-year-old's job security working against the Saints, Pompey will also stroll into this fiercely competitive showdown with some renewed confidence on side, after a shock win was secured during the elongated international break.
Portsmouth's shock win
Pompey had a clash with Xabi Alonso's Chelsea pencilled in for the break behind closed doors.
Amazingly, John Mousinho's men would clinch a 2-0 win in this secretive affair, with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck potentially featuring for the shellshocked Blues, as both veteran players failed to be called up for England.
This will be a confidence boost for Portsmouth who have struggled at points this season in the hustle and bustle of Championship, with just two wins next to their name from seven outings meaning they're stuck in a precarious 19th spot.
🚨 Portsmouth defeated Chelsea 2-0 this afternoon at Cobham. #CFC (@portsmouthnews) https://t.co/rvZFJpNvUb
— Pys (@CFCPys) October 3, 2026
They haven't lost across their last three competitive league matches, however, and the Saints should be on high alert that they could be on the receiving end of another spirited Pompey performance, when they come to St. Mary's next Sunday lunchtime.
Away from the impressive feat of unsettling Alonso's hosts, though, Mousinho's visitors will also be well aware that their arch nemesis can blow away teams comfortably, especially at their own home.
Saints will still believe they can win
Indeed, the South Coast giants haven't stumbled once yet at home this season.
Amazingly, Eckert and Co. last tasted defeat on their own patch, in Championship action, back in January, so it will take an unbelievable effort from Pompey to win at St. Mary's on Sunday.
But, if Pompey can beat a Premier League side during the break, they can also humble their sworn enemy, so it shouldn't be a given on Southampton's end that they'll be taking home the bragging rights with ease.
Yet, when you look at the head-to-head numbers, there'll be an immense belief coursing through the Saints' veins that another South Coast Derby win will soon be arriving at their door.
The promotion hopefuls haven't lost to their bitter rivals in league action since 2005, with Alain Perrin the forgotten manager in question who masterminded a 4-1 win for Portsmouth at Fratton Park in the Premier League.
This wasn't yesterday, of course, as Yakubu was among the goals for the ecstatic hosts.
Even more startingly, the Saints haven't lost on home soil against their hostile adversaries since 1988, meaning St. Mary's has never witnessed a Pompey upset, with that 2-0 defeat coming at the Dell.
Hopefully, for Southampton's sake, this incredible record stays intact, as another goal-filled win confidently comes their way.
Yet, these records are meant to be broken, and if Pompey show up with the same fearlessness that handed them a 2-0 win over Chelsea, another surprise result could be on the cards.
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