John Massino

I expect it to be a different game on Sunday.

There have been some really special Fratton Park nights.

We've had it time and time again over the three years we've been here.

There have been some really special Fratton Park nights, some really stand out.

The evening game we had against Bolton in the first season, and then the one in the promotion winning season, the night we beat Barnsley to win League One.

When we beat Oxford with Christian Sadie's goal, March 2024, while there were so many last year because the home form was so good and our away form was pretty poor, it has probably been slightly more difficult this year because we've not been quite as free-flowing and high-scoring as last season, but we've still had some incredible atmospheres at home.

As always, very interesting.

James Ray says, I won't be alone in hoping this edition of the South Coast Derby has more to offer than the first.

It was a pretty dull match to watch given the pre-game excitement over the long-awaited return of a brilliant rivalry.

A lot has changed since then too, especially at Southampton.

Tondor Ekert will be keen to express the importance of this game to his players as it looked a little lost on them last time out, but the rookie manager's lack of experience could be a factor to consider.

Massinho still has Portsmouth supporters firmly on his side, and two positive results in quick succession has boosted the mood despite their peril.

As their arch-rivals arrive at Fratton Park, Pompey will look to bring the crowd into the game quickly and start fast.

There's no hiding that Southampton have the advantage in terms of quality.

However with the home faithful behind them and some solid results over the past week, I just wonder whether Portsmouth might claim a huge win over their biggest foes.

Portsmouth 2 Southampton 1