Can the Saints build some momentum and retain bragging rights on the south coast, or will it be back to the drawing board - again?
John Mousinho vs Tonda Eckert
Saints boss Tonda Eckert is looking to come out of his first south coast derby with all three points, but it will take a courageous performance from an often fragile Southampton squad to do so.
Eckert on the south coast derby: “It's the most beautiful game of the year, the most beautiful and the most important one. We need to dig very deep. I'm very positive that we come away with a good result.”
“We always say cold heads and hot hearts. It’s a balance. Obviously we need to take the emotion of the game, because it’s not a game like any other, and at the same time there are some moments when we need to have a clear idea and a clear mind. That is going to be the balance for us to find for Sunday.”
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho will be hoping not to get into another spat with a Saints manager, after clashing with Will Still in September’s derby at St Mary’s.
Ahead of this weekend’s clash, Mousinho has attempted to send a message of goodwill towards Southampton’s new boss: “Will [Still] didn’t offer me a drink and it was left at that. We will always go in if we get invited - we didn’t get invited that day. That’s fine. We will offer Tonda [Eckert] a drink after Sunday’s game, absolutely. He can have whatever is in the fridge. Whether we win, lose or draw, if the opposition coaching staff invite us in, we’ll go in. We always invite people into Fratton.”
While Mousinho is looking to make good terms with Southampton’s Eckert, he is calling for Fratton Park to be as unfriendly as possible.
A Testing Atmosphere
"We've had a lot of incredible home atmospheres over the past three years so I know how Fratton Park gets when everyone gets going, but this is obviously something completely different," Mousinho told the Pompey website.
"It's one of those things since I joined the football club that everyone has been talking about - the anticipation for this season has mainly been about the two games we have against Southampton.
"Such is the rivalry and tension between the two clubs, it's a massive chance for one of the players to step up and write their name in the history books."
The Saints clearly have the quality in their ranks to beat one of the division’s poorer sides, but can they win their battles in a game where passion will likely override technical ability?
Team News
Portsmouth: Hosts Portsmouth are going through an injury crisis, at the perfect time for the visiting Saints. Key players Josh Murphy, Callum Lang, and Conor Shaughnessy are all set to be missing.
Against Watford on Wednesday, Mousinho had to shuffle full-back Connor Ogilvie to centre-back - Saints really should be looking at capitalising on this enforced change.
Southampton: Shea Charles returned as a late substitute in midweek following a three-month lay-off, while Oriol Romeu completed 62 minutes for the Under-21s on Thursday following an ankle injury.
Mads Roerslev could be close to a return, while James Bree is available following the conclusion of his loan spell at Charlton. Practically a clean bill of health - the tools are there for the Saints, will Tonda Eckert utilise them correctly?
A better game in store?
After the drab 0-0 draw between the two sides in September, all parties will be hoping for an improved spectacle.
"I think it's going to be a really good atmosphere. Hopefully it's a better game, because the last one [at St Mary's] was a bit minging really, wasn't it. Hopefully we can give it a better go this time around," Southampton winger Tom Fellows said ahead of the derby.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho: “Southampton produced some good performances earlier in the season without necessarily getting results, but changed their manager and the form improved.
“They have tailed off a bit lately, but enjoyed a good win earlier in the week and we know that they’re a dangerous side.”
It’s set to be a fiery clash where neither manager will want to hold back. Both young head coaches who back their ability, the passion of the two could be massive in this encounter.
Can Saints Win?
In order to win, the Saints need to show that they have it in them to manage a game in a tough setting.
If they can get an early goal and allow the early atmosphere in Fratton Park to fizzle out, their quality could get them through against an opposition that may then become desperate for inspiration when behind.
It’s been 14 years since the two sides last met in the league at Fratton Park; it’s time for Southampton to make a huge step forward in their season by winning on Sunday.