After their positive start to the campaign ended with successive defeats, Pompey will be looking to make the most of having two home games this week. Table-topping Middlesbrough are the visitors on Saturday, but it is Watford who make the trip down to Fratton Park this evening (7.45pm kick). The sides are closely matched in the Championship standings, with the Hertfordshire outfit currently having the edge on goal difference after seven matches. Summer appointment Paulo Pezzolano was reportedly coming under pressure, with the Hornets not known to be patient with their head coaches. But that may have eased after they battled from behind to beat Hull on Saturday and secure a second victory of the campaign, courtesy of goals from Imrân Louza and Vivaldo Semedo. Fans will be hoping their club can build on last term's finish of 14th, which saw boss Tom Cleverley lose his job. Both of last season's meeting with Watford were memorable affairs, including a bad-tempered and controversial Boxing Day loss at Vicarage Road. It was a much happier afternoon at Fratton Park on Easter Monday, though, when Colby Bishop's header was enough to secure both the victory and Pompey's Championship status. TEAM NEWS Pompey are missing Callum Lang (hamstring), Nicolas Schmid (hand), Conor Shaughnessy (hamstring) and Thomas Waddingham (thigh), while Josh Murphy (ankle) is a doubt and the game comes too soon for Franco Umeh following his hamstring issue. But Conor Chaplin is available again after being ineligible to face his parent club at the weekend and Harvey Blair has returned to full fitness. Watford will be without Giorgi Chakvetadze (foot), Jack Grieves (leg), while there are doubts over the fitness of Kwadwo Baah (shoulder) and Egil Selvik (concussion). VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. please log in to view this image HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 22 wins Watford: 19 wins 12 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 17 wins Watford: 5 wins 4 draws Last Home Meeting Pompey 1 (Bishop) Watford 0 Championship April 21 2025 TICKETS Tickets can be purchased online here, with the majority of available spots located behind the goal in the Milton End. Click here to read our matchday guide and find out what is happening around the ground ahead of the game. OFFICIALS Referee: Ben Toner Assistants: Carl Fitch-Jackson and Mark Russell Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone Kitchen last took charge of Pompey when they lost 2-1 at Millwall back in April, showing four yellow cards and all of them to members of the Blues side. He has been in the middle for four games so far this season, booking 16 players and sending off Leicester's Aaron Ramsey. 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. George Wedlake will be joined by Andy Awford and Paul Hardyman 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.
Skipper Marlon Pack and John Swift return to the starting line up, with Luke Le Roux and Mark Kosznovszky dropping to the bench. Conor Chaplin returns in place of Adrian Segecic, Jordan Williams in at right back for Zak Swanson. Fit again winger Harvey Blair is named on the bench, but still no sign of Josh Murphy, who isn't quite fit enough yet.
Watford Starting Line Up:- Number1, E. Selvik Number6, M. Pollock Number25, J. Abankwah Number3, M. Alleyne Number26, C. Wiley Number17, M. Sissoko (c), Captain Number5, H. Kyprianou Number29, J. Petris Number10, I. Louza Number66, N. Irankunda Number18, Vivaldo Semedo Substitutes:- Number12, N. Baxter Number16, M. Bola Number39, E. Kayembe Number34, K. Baah Number23, N. Mendy Number27, F. Mendy Number2, J. Ngakia Number9, L. Kjerrumgaard Number11, R. Vata
1-0 up with a first Pompey goal from Yang Min-Hyeok, from a long throw from skipper Marlon Pack. 5 minutes. Great start !!
Attempt saved. Marlon Pack right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Egil Selvik (Watford). 17 minutes.
Conor Chaplin sprays the ball out to Jordan Williams, who charges down the right and cuts back for Yang Min-Hyeok to hit a shot that Selvik tips over the bar. 25 minutes.
Watford sub: R Vata replaces N. Irankunda. 35 minutes. It's fair to say the man coming off isn't happy, as he punches a chair in the dug-out, throws a bottle of water to the ground and then storms off down the tunnel !
Conor Ogilvie's cross is deflected into the path of Andre Dozzell, who beats his man and then flashes a shot wide from a tight angle. 37 minutes.
Attempt missed. Yang Min-Hyeok left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 40 minutes.
Attempt missed. Josh Knight header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by John Swift with a cross following a set piece situation. 42 minutes.
Half time whistle. 1-0 to Pompey. A good first half for us, Yang Min-Hyeok has been excellent, at last a decent back up for Josh Murphy.
