There are several permutations that could see Pompey secure their Championship survival when they host Watford on Easter Monday (3pm kick-off). But by far the simplest is that winning the game would guarantee John Mousinho's men remaining in the second tier. That would put them on 52 points – beyond the reach of Plymouth and Cardiff and achievable by only one of Hull and Derby, who face off next weekend. Their 12th-placed visitors have only pride left to play for, with faint play-off hopes ended by a 2-1 home defeat to promotion-chasing Burnley on Good Friday. Mamadou Doumbia had given Tom Cleverley's side an early lead, only for the Clarets to hit back through Zian Flemming and Josh Brownhill. Since controversially beating the Blues 2-1 at Vicarage Road on Boxing Day – when a penalty was awarded for a challenge that happened outside the box – the Hornets have won just five times in the league. The challenge now is to make sure they better last season's finish of 15th spot, with fixtures against Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday still to come. Pompey have won the past four contests between the teams at Fratton Park, with goals from Márkó Futács and Hayden Mullins netting in a 2-0 Championship triumph in the most recent of those in January 2012. TEAM NEWS Ibane Bowat (knee), Jacob Farrell (knee), Paddy Lane (knee), Callum Lang (hamstring), Hayden Matthews (ankle), Alexander Milošević (calf), Zak Swanson (heel) and Thomas Waddingham (hamstring) are all currently sidelined. Conor Shaughnessy is unlikely to feature after recently returning to training following a hamstring injury, while two games in three days might prove too much for Rob Atkinson and Colby Bishop (knee) is a doubt. Watford are missing Kwadwo Baah (hamstring), Giorgi Chakvetadze (toe) and Yasser Larouci (groin), while there are concerns over the fitness of Kévin Keben and Angelo Ogbonna. The visitors will also have to deal without Moussa Sissoko and Edo Kayembe after the pair were both sent off against Burnley. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 22 wins Watford: 19 wins 12 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 16 wins Watford: 5 wins 4 draws Last Home Meeting Pompey 2 (Futács, Mullins) Watford 0 Championship January 2 2012 TICKETS Tickets have sold out, but the ticket exchange will remain open until two hours before kick-off. Click here to read our matchday guide and find out what is happening around the ground ahead of the game. OFFICIALS Referee: Sam Allison Assistants: Hristo Karaivanov and Matthew Jones Fourth Official: James Linington Allison last took charge of Pompey when they were narrowly beaten at Luton at the beginning of last month, booking four Blues and two home players. He has taken charge of 30 games so far this season, booking a total of 125 players and sending just one – former Fratton loanee Di'Shon Bernard – for an early bath. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters in the UK can watch the game live via the Sky Sports+ app. Those based overseas can see all the action on Pompey+, either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. The matchday show is live before the game for Pompey+ subscribers and overseas fans with a video subscription/match pass. George Wedlake will be joined by Paul Hardyman and Mark Kelly in the Fratton Park studio, with a guest appearance from Blues defender Hayden Matthews. Fans can get involved by sending messages and voicenotes to our Pompey+ WhatsApp channel* on +44 7457 413694 or via this link. Please note that the half-time and post-match shows are only available to watch for fans in regions where the game is being shown live on Pompey+. Audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham is available for Pompey+ subscribers or those who purchase an audio subscription/match pass. Click here for more details about using Pompey+, including the answers to some frequently asked questions. Locally-based fans who are not going to the game can listen, as always, via BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online). *Please note that the WhatsApp service is only for sending messages to appear on the matchday show. The club will not be able to reply to any messages.
Watford Starting Line Up:- Number33, E. Selvik Number26, C. Wiley Number3, F. Sierralta Number4, K. Keben Number45, R. Andrews Number14, P. Dwomoh Number10, I. Louza (c), Captain Number7, T. Ince Number24, T. Dele-Bashiru Number11, R. Vata Number20, M. Doumbia Substitutes:- Number25, J. Abankwah Number19, V. Bayo Number41, A. Marriott Number47, Z. Massiah-Edwards Number22, J. Morris Number2, J. Ngakia Number6, M. Pollock Number52, L. Ramirez-Espain Number60, A. Sanghrajka
Pompey name an unchanged starting line up, with the surprise inclusion of fit again Conor Shaughnessy and Callum Lang on the bench! Great to see those two players back in the squad. Come on lads, a win or possibly a draw could clinch Championship safety for us this season.
Half time. 1-0 to Pompey. We have been the better side, taking the lead with a headed goal from Colby Bishop in the 25th minute - his fourth goal in the last two matches, and his 11th of the season. Watford could have equalised when Louza's shot was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Nicolas Schmid just before half time.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Portsmouth 51.2%Watford 48.8% Shots Portsmouth 8Watford 5 Shots on target Portsmouth 4Watford 2 Total touches inside the box Portsmouth 9Watford 7 Goalkeeper saves Portsmouth 2Watford 3 Fouls Portsmouth 7Watford 4 Corners Portsmouth 1Watford 1
Final whistle after 10 added on minutes, and it's 1-0 to Pompey. 52 points for the season, and fully safe from the 'dreaded drop' !! Excellent performance from the lads. Good to see both Callum Lang and Conor Shaughnessy coming on in the second half. Watford had defender Keben red carded for a bad foul on Josh Murphy.
We're safe! Hull & Derby have to play each other, which means they can't both overtake us. WE ARE STAYING UP SAY WE ARE STAYING UP!
Final Match Stats:- Overall possession Portsmouth 48.4%Watford 51.6% Shots Portsmouth 19Watford 10 Shots on target Portsmouth 10Watford 3 Total touches inside the box Portsmouth 22Watford 15 Goalkeeper saves Portsmouth 3Watford 9 Fouls Portsmouth 13Watford 12 Corners Portsmouth 6Watford 3
Very happy with that. To think where Pompey are now compared with our placement after 8 games and the hammering we took from Stoke, I think most supporters will be please. We started the season with a League 1 squad. Judging by the starting 11 today and the subs bench, the squad is definitely Championship standard in many positions.
It will be interesting to see who is out of contract. Who are the players that need to move on for the benefit of their own carrers?
Well done chaps. Had me slightly concerned a couple of weeks ago! Something for us both to look forward to. 13 years since last league derbies, bring it on! Shame it'll almost certainly be bubbled but is what it is I guess.
