Southampton and Portsmouth lock horns for Championship derby at St Mary’s, and kick-off set for 07:00 on Sunday 11 October.
Before match, Southampton form dey strong for home. Tonda Eckert side don win four home games on the bounce. But away at The Racecourse in their last game, Wrexham beat them 2-1. Southampton managed seven shots on target and enjoyed 67% possession, with James Ward-Prowse registering the goal.
Portsmouth draw their previous game at home. The action at Fratton Park ended 2-2 against Blackburn Rovers. The Hampshire team had 51% possession and recorded six shots on goal, with Zak Swanson and Colby Bishop finding the net.
Head-to-head, Southampton boast unbeaten record in past three matches against Portsmouth. Last encounter ended 1-1 at Fratton Park. The previous 3 H2H games featured two draws and one Southampton victory.
For lineups, Southampton confirmed 4-2-3-1: Daniel Peretz in goal, James Bree, Jack Stephens, Keven Schlotterbeck, Ryan Manning, Flynn Downes, James Ward-Prowse, Cameron Bragg, Finn Azaz, Leo Scienza, Cyle Larin. Portsmouth confirmed 4-2-3-1: Nicolas Schmid in goal, Zak Swanson, Regan Poole, Madiodio Dia, Jayden Meghoma, Marlon Pack, Ebou Adams, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Abu Kamara, Tyrese Shade, Colby Bishop.
For last 10 Championship matches, Southampton get 5 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws, averaging 2.4 goals from 4.8 shots on goal and 16.0 attempts. Southampton have had 57.0% possession and 5.1 corners per match. On average, opposition have scored 1.3 goals from 4.5 shots on goal and 15.2 attempts, while being awarded 5.4 corners. Top scorer Cyle Larin don find net 9 times, Finn Azaz 3, with Leo Scienza and Ryan Manning both scoring 2. Finn Azaz be leading assists maker with 4.
Pompey get 3 victories, 4 defeats and 3 draws, with average of 1.4 goals from 12.8 attempts and 3.8 shots on goal. John Mousinho side average 51.1% possession, 5.4 corners in favour and 5.7 corners against, while conceding 1.7 goals from 10.8 attempts and 4.5 shots on goal. Adrian Segecic don land 6 goals, Marko Milovanovic 2, with Zak Swanson and two others scoring 1. Top assistors in last 10 games be Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Tyrese Shade and Adrian Segecic who all made 1.
For inside the game, breakthrough come for Southampton. James Bree score opener. Finn Azaz clips perfect ball over top and Bree drifts in behind Portsmouth left-back Jayden Meghoma. Bree bring it under control, then slot past Nicolas Schmid with him left foot via inside of post. St Mary’s erupt.
James Bree been one of most advanced players on pitch for home side. Dan George of BBC Sport for Hampshire at St Mary’s talk say Bree send Southampton fans into absolute raptures as he sticks that one in net. He say Bree been most advanced on right of new formation for large periods of game, and was found in small space on far side of box for him goal.
Portsmouth no fold. They get encouraging last few moments. Jayden Meghoma, product of Southampton academy, dey booed all the way by home fans. He drive into area from left but smash it high and wide of near post. Later, Tyrese Shade slip into left channel for Portsmouth and get space to run into behind Saints right-back James Bree. Shade try to pull it back but Saints clear.
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Chelsea loanee, flash effort across face of goal but it runs out of play for goal-kick. Pompey come forward again and Tyrese Shade sets it back to former Saint Jayden Meghoma on edge of area. Meghoma fires hard and low on target but it straight at Daniel Peretz in Southampton goal.
Guy Whittingham, former Portsmouth manager on BBC Radio Solent, talk say that was great combination play from Portsmouth to get away. When Jayden Meghoma gets to area, he just need to cross. Don’t wait. Colby Bishop had pulled away and was waiting for signal to make run for cross. It didn’t come.
Adam Blackmore, BBC Radio Solent commentator, believe Southampton dey play 4-1-4-1, maybe a diamond formation. James Ward-Prowse could be playing as right-midfielder in 4-2-3-1. Boos from home support every time Pompey get ball. It loud and frenetic inside St Mary’s.
Southampton are enjoying more possession than Pompey but it the visitors who dey create more when they go forward at the moment. The atmosphere for derby dey heavy, and both sides still dey fight for control.
