Much was made of Pompey's wildly contrasting fortunes at home and on the road in the Championship last season. But either side of the summer break, John Mousinho's men have collected seven points from their past three fixtures – at Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford – away from Fratton Park. So a continuation of that positive form will be the aim when the Blues make the trip up to West Brom on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Their opponents have made a bright opening to the league campaign, enjoying successive victories over Blackburn and Wrexham. An Isaac Price double and goal from former Pompey favourite Jed Wallace sealed a 3-2 win in Wales last weekend. It means Ryan Mason has enjoyed an encouraging start to his career as a head coach, having left Tottenham's backroom staff to take over at The Hawthorns earlier this summer. His task is to try to achieve a top six finish for the Baggies after they finished ninth – four points adrift of the play-offs – last term. The Blues did not enjoy their 2024/25 meetings with West Brom, with a 3-0 reverse on the south coast followed by a 5-1 hammering in the west midlands. You have to travel back to February 1998 to find the last time Pompey won on their opponents' patch, when goals from David Hillier, Steve Claridge and Alan McLoughlin sealed a 3-0 triumph. TEAM NEWS Pompey will be without Harvey Blair (hamstring), Callum Lang (hamstring) and Marlon Pack (knee), although defender Josh Knight could make his debut. The hosts are currently missing Tammer Bany (hamstring) and Daryl Dike (thigh), while Wallace and Josh Griffiths could both feature against their former club. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Jordan Williams ahead of the big game. please log in to view this image HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 20 wins West Brom: 45 wins 14 draws At The Hawthorns Pompey: 7 wins West Brom: 27 wins 4 draws Last Away Meeting West Brom 5 (Mowatt, Diangana 2, Wallace, Swift) Pompey 1 (Waddingham) Championship January 25 2025 TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation of tickets and none will be available to purchase at West Brom on the day of the game. OFFICIALS Referee: Elliot Bell Assistants: Sam Lewis and Ian Cooper Fourth Official: Declan Bourne This will be the first Pompey match officiated by Bell, who has shown 11 yellow cards and one red in his four games so far this season. MATCH COVERAGE Overseas fans can watch all the action live on Pompey+, either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. George Wedlake will be joined by Mark Kelly and Paul Robinson in the Fratton Park studio. 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.
I'm sure it can't go as badly as last time, right? I'd have been tempted to get tickets but it clashes with my monthly DND campaign. At the moment, I'm eyeing Leicester away, shame because of the ridiculous kick-off time, getting home would be touch and go. If I get a train at 22:20, I can either go to Birmingham and get a bus, or Nuneaton and get an Uber...
Two changes in Pompey's starting line up. Zak Swanson in for Jordan Williams (who drops to the bench) at right back, and Florian Bianchini replaces injured Callum Lang on the wing. John Swift plays against his old club!
West Bromwich Albion Starting Line Up:- Number20, J. Griffiths Number4, C. Styles Number6, G. Campbell Number3, N. Phillips Number2, D. Furlong (c), Captain Number27, A. Mowatt Number8, J. Molumby Number11, M. Johnston Number21, I. Price Number31, T. Fellows Number19, A. Heggebø Substitutes:- Number10, K. Ahearne-Grant Number44, D. Cole Number13, T. Collyer Number17, O. Diakité Number9, J. Maja Number15, C. Taylor Number7, J. Wallace Number23, J. Wildsmith Number41, A. Williams
Ex-Pompey player Jed Wallace starts on the bench. Former Pompey loanee Josh Griffiths is in goal for the Baggies.
Adrian Segecic slips a neat pass through to Florian Bianchini, but Josh Griffiths makes the save. 20 minutes.
Florian Bianchini left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Josh Griffiths. Assisted by Josh Murphy. 40 minutes.
Josh Murphy left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Josh Griffiths. Assisted by John Swift. 42 minutes.
Half time. 1-0 to West Brom. Apart from conceding a goal, we have played well so far. Sounds like Adrian Segecic and Josh Murphy have put in good performances. Let's hope we can maintain this performance in the second half.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession West Bromwich Albion 54.5%Portsmouth 45.5% Shots West Bromwich Albion 6Portsmouth 5 Shots on target West Bromwich Albion 2Portsmouth 3 Total touches inside the opposition box West Bromwich Albion 5Portsmouth 3 Goalkeeper saves West Bromwich Albion 3Portsmouth 1 Fouls committed West Bromwich Albion 7Portsmouth 7 Corners West Bromwich Albion 0Portsmouth 2
