Pompey enjoyed victories immediately before the season's previous two international breaks and will be looking to make it a treble when they visit Hull on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off). John Mousinho's men have not won since ending Middlesbrough's undefeated start to the campaign at the beginning of October, but created a host of chances in a midweek draw with Wrexham. Their next opponents only secured their Championship survival by drawing 1-1 at Fratton Park on the final day of last term. They quickly dismissed boss Rubén Sellés, though, and replaced him with former Dinamo Zagreb and Kayserispor manager Sergej Jakirović. He made a host of new signings, including striker Oli McBurnie, who has already struck seven times for his new club. And the Tigers are currently looking pretty healthy in eighth position, just one point outside the play-off places after 14 games. They did, however, see a six-match unbeaten run – that included four triumphs – come to an end with a 2-1 loss at Derby on Tuesday night. Pompey drew 1-1 when the side's met on Hull's patch last season, with Josh Murphy striking early in the second half to cancel out João Pedro's opener. Saturday is Hull's dedicated Remembrance fixture and travelling fans are advised there will be commemorations on the pitch ahead of kick-off. TEAM NEWS Pompey are missing Harvey Blair (hamstring), Jacob Farrell (groin), Callum Lang (hamstring), Connor Ogilvie (knee), Nicolas Schmid (hand), Adrian Segečić (ankle), Conor Shaughnessy (hamstring), Franco Umeh (hamstring) and Thomas Waddingham (thigh). Hull are expected to be without their leading marksman Oli McBurnie (calf), while John Lundstram (calf), Elliot Matazo (knee), Liam Millar (hamstring) and Kasey Palmer (knee) are all currently sidelined. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 22 wins Hull: 14 wins 22 draws At Hull Pompey: 9 wins Hull: 9 wins 10 draws Last Away Meeting Hull 1 (Pedro) Pompey 1 (Murphy) Championship November 2 2024 TICKETS Tickets are no longer available to purchase from Pompey and will not be on sale to away fans at Hull on the day of the game. Click here to read a guide to visiting the MKM Stadium that has been produced by the home club. OFFICIALS Referee: Tom Nield Assistants: Andrew Dallison and Conor Brown Fourth Official: Matt Corlett Nield last took charge of Pompey when they beat Cardiff on home soil back in February 2024, booking two players from each side. He has been in the middle for nine games so far this season, showing 36 yellow cards, but keeping the red one in his pocket. 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 Paul Hardyman and Mark Kelly in the Fratton Park studio, with the pre-match show starting at 12pm. 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.
Hull City Starting Line Up:- 1 Pandur 2 Coyle (C) 15 Egan 4 Hughes 3 Giles 20 Hadziahmetovic 27 Slater 25 Crooks 21 Gelhardt 39 Destan 22 Joseph Substitutes:- Phillips Ajayi Belloumi Akintola Drameh Ndala Famewo Gyabi McCarthy
With Connor Ogilvie ruled out with the knee injury he suffered against Wrexham on Wednesday evening, Jordan Williams starts at left back. Otherwise unchanged, with Josh Murphy able to play again on the left wing. Interesting choice of teenage academy centre half Ashton Sizer being named on the bench. Just goes to show the extent of our massive injury list!
Half time score 2-2. Good first half, end to end stuff, with Pompey taking a 16th minute lead through Terry Devlin's shot deflected past their keeper. Hull equalised with an excellent goal from Destan in the 27th minute. Hull scored again with a Joseph goal from a corner, in the 42nd minute. Pompey grabbed an equaliser after 45 + 2 minutes, with a headed goal from Terry Devlin from a superb cross by Josh Murphy.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Hull City 62.5%Portsmouth 37.5% Shots Hull City 6Portsmouth 6 Shots on target Hull City 3Portsmouth 3 Total touches inside the opposition box Hull City 10Portsmouth 4 Goalkeeper saves Hull City 1Portsmouth 1 1 Goalkeeper saves 1 Aerial duels won Hull City 18Portsmouth 13 Fouls committed Hull City 2Portsmouth 6 Corner Hull City 3Portsmouth2
Final whistle. 3-2 defeat. Hull scored their winner from the very impressive Leeds loanee Joe Gelhardt in the 79th minute. We played well, but just didn't get the lucky breaks. Marlon Pack came on at half time for Luke Le Roux who apart from getting himself booked, didn't contribute a great deal. I thought that we should have brought Makenzie Kirk on earlier and taken Colby Bishop off, as he wasn't getting anywhere up front. Makenzie did more in 15 minutes, than Colby did in 98 minutes on the pitch! Can't wait for the January transfer to open so that we can sign a tall talented striker, who can score the goals we require.
Final Match Stats:- Overall possession Hull City 57%Portsmouth 43% Shots Hull City 13Portsmouth 13 Shots on target Hull City 4Portsmouth 5 Total touches inside the opposition box Hull City 20Portsmouth 15 Goalkeeper saves Hull City 3Portsmouth 1 Aerial duels won Hull City 30Portsmouth 26 Fouls committed Hull City 6Portsmouth 14 Corners Hull City 5Portsmouth 5
Oh dear! Where are Pompey going to get their next win from?. And fans are beginning to voice their disapproval with Mousinho and want a change. If that happens the club will likely end up with someone like Neil Harris so not really an upgrade, and unlikely to attract a better calibre of player either.
As far as I can see, the club need to make a drastic decisión on attracting better players. Oñe is to significantly increase the playing budget, something I don't quite Buy into. The other is to be more like Millwall and attract very talented players to the academy. That means a massive upgrade to the system to improve the quality of young player coming here, something that the hierarchy seem reluctant to do!
