Portsmouth’s biggest fear has materialised before their heated clash with Southampton

South Coast rivals prepare for another heated meeting

The first South Coast derby of the 2026-27 Championship campaign is almost here, with Southampton preparing to welcome bitter rivals Portsmouth to St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The fixture is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches on the Championship calendar, with both sets of supporters fully aware of the history and rivalry separating the two clubs.

Last season marked the first time in 14 years that Southampton and Portsmouth had met in a league fixture. Despite Southampton possessing the more expensive squad on paper, the Saints were unable to claim victory in either of the two meetings.

The opening encounter at St Mary’s in September ended without a goal, while the return fixture at Fratton Park in January finished 1-1. Leo Scienza gave Southampton the lead before Ebou Adams equalised for Portsmouth.

Neither side managed to establish bragging rights, meaning Sunday’s clash offers another opportunity for one team to claim an important victory.

Portsmouth have endured an inconsistent beginning

Portsmouth have experienced an uneven opening to their Championship campaign under John Mousinho.

Pompey have already suffered defeats against QPR, Bristol City and Derby County, while their final two matches before the international break resulted in draws against Charlton Athletic and Blackburn Rovers.

Their recent form has therefore left plenty of room for improvement as they prepare for the trip to St Mary’s.

Mousinho has also had to deal with injury problems. Key winger Josh Murphy remains unavailable, which removes an important attacking option from Portsmouth’s squad.

Nevertheless, the club strengthened during the summer transfer window.

The arrival of Serbian striker Marezi was arguably the most notable addition, while teenage Chelsea winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is another player who could provide Southampton with problems during the derby.

Portsmouth will need those attacking additions to make an impact if they are to return from the south coast with something to show for their efforts.

Southampton receive major Eckert boost

While Portsmouth have struggled for consistency, Southampton have received a significant boost ahead of the derby following the conclusion of Tonda Eckert’s Spygate disciplinary case.

The Saints began the campaign with a four-point deduction because of the spying controversy that overshadowed the end of last season.

However, Southampton have responded strongly on the pitch and have already collected 14 points from their matches.

After the deduction was applied, that leaves them sitting on 10 points from eight games.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, have eight points from seven matches, meaning Southampton currently sit above their local rivals despite beginning the season with a handicap.

The Saints have won four of their opening eight fixtures, although the campaign has not been completely straightforward.

Pompey searching for consistency

Mousinho has managed to guide Portsmouth to only two victories so far.

One came away against newly promoted Lincoln City, while the other was secured at home against Cardiff City, who were also playing in League One last season.

That record leaves Portsmouth needing to find greater consistency if they are to avoid being dragged into a difficult battle as the season develops.

The international break provided both clubs with an opportunity to reset, but Portsmouth now face an extremely difficult assignment against a Southampton side that has been given fresh encouragement by the conclusion of the Spygate case.

Spygate has dominated Southampton’s summer

Southampton supporters will undoubtedly be delighted that club football is finally returning after the three-week international break.

The long-running Spygate controversy has remained an unwanted presence around the club since May.

The initial punishment came quickly, with Southampton expelled from the Championship play-off final after being found to have been involved in spying on opponents.

The investigation did not relate solely to Middlesbrough. Southampton were also found to have conducted similar activities involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town.

The controversy therefore continued to cast a shadow over the club throughout the summer.

However, Eckert’s disciplinary hearing did not take place during the summer months.

Instead, Southampton had to wait until the first international break of the new season before the FA proceedings finally got underway.

After an extended period of uncertainty, Eckert eventually learned his fate following almost two weeks of waiting for the outcome.

Eckert avoids immediate suspension

The final decision proved considerably more favourable to Eckert than some had anticipated.

Despite the findings that he personally authorised the spying operations, the Southampton boss was given a six-week suspension that has been suspended.

That means the 33-year-old remains free to manage the team from the touchline.

There had reportedly been suggestions that the FA initially wanted to impose a much longer suspension, with a 16-week ban among the possible outcomes discussed.

However, mitigating factors were taken into account.

Eckert’s cooperation with the investigation and the desire not to impose further punishment on Southampton after the club had already suffered major consequences were understood to have influenced the final decision.

For Southampton’s supporters and club hierarchy, the verdict represented a major relief.

The manager can now focus on football without the immediate threat of being removed from the dugout hanging over him.

A siege mentality could fuel Southampton

The timing of the decision could hardly be more significant.

Portsmouth are the first opponents Southampton will face since Eckert’s punishment was announced, meaning Sunday’s derby is likely to have an especially intense atmosphere.

St Mary’s is expected to be packed, with supporters ready to create a hostile and passionate environment for the visit of their biggest local rivals.

Southampton could enter the match with a renewed sense of unity after spending months dealing with the consequences of Spygate.

Their expulsion from last season’s play-offs and the four-point deduction have brought the club together, and the conclusion of Eckert’s case may strengthen that feeling.

Why Portsmouth will be worried

From Portsmouth’s perspective, the FA decision could hardly have arrived at a worse time.

Eckert avoiding an immediate ban removes one of the uncertainties that had surrounded Southampton throughout the opening weeks of the campaign.

There was always a possibility that the uncertainty over the manager’s future and potential suspension could affect the Saints.

Although Southampton have still only won half of their league matches, they now have considerably more clarity heading into the biggest fixture of the season so far.

Eckert knows he will remain in charge provided he does not commit another serious offence, while his players can concentrate fully on their football.

For a Portsmouth side that has already shown vulnerabilities this season, that could be a major concern.

Can Pompey spoil Southampton’s party?

Portsmouth may previously have looked at Sunday’s fixture as an opportunity to exploit the uncertainty surrounding their rivals.

A Southampton side distracted by the Spygate investigation might have presented an opening for Pompey to secure a positive result.

That uncertainty has now disappeared.

The FA has delivered its verdict, Eckert can remain in the dugout, and Southampton can concentrate on the derby without the same disciplinary cloud hanging over the club.

That could provide the Saints with an additional psychological lift before one of the biggest matches of their season.

For Portsmouth, the challenge is now to produce a performance capable of silencing a potentially fired-up St Mary’s crowd.

On paper, Southampton appear to have the momentum and confidence to make life extremely difficult for their visitors.

However, football rarely follows the script, and Portsmouth will be determined to repeat last season’s ability to frustrate their more expensively assembled rivals.

After two draws between the sides last season, both clubs will be desperate to finally claim bragging rights.

The question now is whether Southampton can turn their renewed clarity into victory — or whether Portsmouth can once again defy expectations and leave St Mary’s with something to celebrate.