Two big derby games last season, Southampton and Portsmouth no fit claim bragging rights wey dem want. First match for St Mary’s end as anti-climatic scoreless draw before things take flight for Fratton Park later in season. Leo Scienza find net and run whole length of pitch to celebrate in front of Saints fans before Ebou Adams head late equaliser home. He also run length of field to salute supporters for Fratton End. Southampton then end their season with Spygate dominating proceedings after Pompey don secure their status as Championship side. With two bitter rivals set to reignite rivalry on Sunday (12:00 BST), will one finally triumph for south coast derby?
Lead-up to this south coast derby don be unlike any other. While most spectators usually long for day of game, everybody connected with Southampton dey anxiously wait for verdict on future of their head coach. Finally on Wednesday dem put out of misery when FA announce say Tonda Eckert get suspended six-week ban and fined £28,000 for him role in Spygate scandal. Crucially, this mean he fit dey dugout for Sunday game at St Mary’s and beyond. Just minutes after announcement, Saints post video on social media channels of Eckert dey cheer with supporters. Former Saints striker James Beattie talk say this news go be small shot in arm for them before derby. As player that na one less thing to worry about and e free you to focus on game. The lads na human at end of day and e for dey play on their minds small. Now e don settle, they can look forward. Timing of decision couldn’t be better and hopefully they can go on and put in really good performance at St Mary’s.
Despite lacklustre nature of game, last season derby still get incredibly intense and hostile atmosphere. With Portsmouth fans no doubt get plenty new verbal ammunition to fire at rivals, Southampton supporters go fit reply safe in knowledge their manager no dey go anywhere soon. One aspect wey underpin intensity and ferocity of this derby na how few times teams don play each other, meaning each game feel like genuine occasion. Since 1996 they meet just 12 times across all competitions, with eight being Premier League or Championship fixture. Neither side don beat other in league game since 2005, when Pompey thump Saints 4-1 at Fratton Park. Lomana LuaLua win penalty and score two goals in less than half an hour at Fratton Park in famous day for blue side of Hampshire. The four league games since then all end even, alongside FA Cup win for Portsmouth in 2010 and convincing Southampton victory in 2019 League Cup campaign. Derogatory songs about either side na regular fixtures in weekly matchday repertoires, so when they finally meet supporters get chance to unleash jibes towards other side. Last season derbies na first league meetings since 2012 and supporters highly anticipate them, singing we’re coming for you in games prior. With frustration of neither winning carry over to this season, Sunday game no doubt go make intense atmosphere.
This summer significant for Portsmouth, with John Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes operating with increased transfer budget. Pompey spend more than £10m on additions, significantly more than previous seasons under Mousinho. Dem never spend more than £1.5m on single player for about 15 years but this summer dem go over that threshold four times on forwards Marko Milovanovic and Tyrese Shade, winger Abu Kamara and midfielder Rocco Shein. Milovanovic impress in spells but struggle with fitness issues and no play in Portsmouth last two matches. The 6ft 6in player don score twice in Championship this season and when fit e appear to be Mousinho preferred choice up front. Shein look like classy addition in him Portsmouth debut when e shine for London Stadium in first half of Pompey eventual EFL Cup defeat by West Ham. He don since play all seven league matches in deeper midfield position, mostly alongside captain Marlon Pack. Kamara and Shade both show promise but never make statement on pitch this season, registering assist each across opening games since arriving. Away from permanent additions one attacker wey catch eye na Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, on loan from Chelsea. The 17-year-old winger don already prove say despite him age e ready for this level, scoring and assisting once this season. In early September, Kavuma-McQueen suffer double fracture on right hand but opt against surgery to continue playing with splint on arm, making for longer recovery period. This decision appear to impress head coach Mousinho who label forward as player and person wey ticks all boxes.
Eckert side start season well, especially at home with perfect four wins from four and impressive 15 goals scored. Southampton begin season on negative four points but don motor up to 10 points after eight games. Dem beat Stoke City, Millwall, Swansea and Bristol City handsomely at St Mary’s with playmakers Finn Azaz and Leo Scienza playing big roles alongside division top scorer Cyle Larin. Canada international na clear and present danger but perhaps best way Pompey fit prevent him making impact na by stopping, or at least limiting, him supply line. Azaz in particular impress with three goals and five assists in eight Championship matches. The 26-year-old don develop into one of Saints most important attackers, and one of Championship best advanced midfielders, since joining from Middlesbrough in summer of 2025. He tend to line-up in number 10 position of Eckert 4-2-3-1 formation, just behind striker and in between wingers. Azaz provide assist for Southampton opening goal of derby at Fratton Park last season and he go dey hope to make similar impact for Saints on Sunday. Scienza continue to look dangerous after last season breakout campaign where dem name am Southampton player of season with 17 Championship goal contributions. Portsmouth keep two clean sheets out of seven games this season and go get to defend at best if they wan keep Saints attack out.
