It is a fixture that was played an incredible five times last season and there was very little to separate the sides. Pompey’s highlight was their Wembley triumph in the EFL Trophy final, while Sunderland edged a tense play-off encounter. And – just like last term – both sides are now firmly focused on the battle to win promotion to the Championship. Kenny Jackett’s men climbed into the top six for the first time with victory at Lincoln on Tuesday evening, only to be pushed back out by the Black Cats 24 hours later. The Wearsiders dismissed manager Jack Ross with the team occupying a play-off position in October and replacement Phil Parkinson was under pressure when they dropped as low as 15th. But they have been in fine form in recent weeks and head to the south coast on a nine-match unbeaten run. Unlike the Blues, Sunderland can also just focus on the league, having long since exited all the cup competitions. They won 2-1 when the sides met in the north-east earlier in the campaign, battling from behind after Marcus Harness had opened the scoring. TEAM NEWS Pompey have almost a fully-fit squad to choose from, with Bryn Morris (groin) the only player currently sidelined. Duncan Watmore (leg) and Will Grigg (virus) missed Sunderland’s win at Tranmere on Wednesday evening. The visitors have recently allowed out-of-favour winger Aiden McGeady to join Charlton on loan for the remainder of the campaign. There have also been rumours of plenty of incomings and outgoings at the Stadum of Light before the transfer window closes at 11pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 34 wins Sunderland: 39 wins 35 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 24 wins Sunderland: 11 wins 18 draws TICKETS Fratton Park is full to capacity for Saturday’s game. OFFICIALS Referee: Christopher Sarginson Assistants: Michael Webb and Kevin Howick Fourth Official: Gary Parsons BETTING Pompey are the 23/20 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 12/5.
Brilliant win again, a clean sheet, and another three points. We played exceptionally well, bossed most of the match, and scored two fine goals from Christian Burgess in the 25th minute with a powerful header from a Ronan Curtis free kick, and again when James Bolton doubled Pompey's lead on 52 minutes side footing home Ronan Curtis' corner from close range. Once again, Andy Cannon bossed the midfield, in fact the whole team performed well. There was concern when a lengthy stop in the final 10 minutes led to Sunderland defender Joel Lynch being stretchered off to a waiting ambulance following a collision with his goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin. The player landed badly on his neck and looked in quite a state. Attendance was 18,531 including 1,819 away supporters.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .............Away Team: Sunderland Possession: Home 51% Away 49% Shots: Home 17 Away 5 Shots on Target: Home 4 Away 2 Corners: Home 5 Away 6 Fouls: Home 10 Away 14
As It Stands:- ..........Team .......P GD Pts 1 Rotherham ....29 23 53 2 Wycombe ......29 2 50 3 Peterborough 30 19 49 4 Ipswich ..........29 12 48 5 Coventry ........27 11 48 6 Portsmouth ...27 12 47 7 Sunderland ....28 11 45 8 Oxford Utd .....27 18 44 9 Fleetwood ......27 8 42 10 Doncaster ....27 13 41 11 Burton ..........28 3 41 12 Gillingham ...28 6 39
Super win. There seems to have been a subtle change since the Stanley Game. The defence seems to have tightened up, maybe Seddon has helped there, maybe the loanee from Barnsley as well. Add to that Cannon having an extended run and work on the training field in scoring from set pieces and things look good.
Pompey need to offer Curtis a New contract pdq, because he is worth at least 10million. We wouldn't get it but 7 sounds about right for a playera who is better than most in the PL outside the top six. Is Redmond or Zaha any superior???
What a great run of results we are getting! Interesting that you have mentioned the influence of Cannon in the last couple of games Woops. For most of the season he could not get a game. Now, with no injury list other than Morris, it is possible to go through the team and name a worthy replacement for anyone who happens to get injured -- except perhaps Cannon! No one else has satisfactorily filled the No 10 role this season. The away game against Coventry in a fortnight looms large. A "six pointer" which is also a game in hand for both teams.
Ronan Curtis has just signed a new three and a half year contract with the club, which keeps him at Fratton Park until Summer 2023 please log in to view this image Portsmouth FC ✔@Pompey please log in to view this image Three and a half more years of this man at Fratton Park please log in to view this image @RonanCurtis1 has signed a new #Pompey deal! please log in to view this image
Surprised he's signing a new deal but obviously pleased. Was talk recently of him leaving for the championship. Cracking result btw! After a really crappy first half of the season things are on the up and we are well placed!
It protects Pompey's interests as well as his. I am sure Pompey will allow him to speak to possible suitors in the summer. To my mind he would suit teams like Leicester and Sheffield United and Wolves in the PL as he is a premier league footballer
You reckon? He's come on form for sure but it wasn't that long ago his output was pretty low. It just seemed he was always tired after 60 minutes and people were really (harshly) hammering the guy. Was good last year, got called up for Ireland, and then went missing end of last season and start of this. I like him but for me he's got to be consistent to the end of the season to be near that level. For me atm he's a mid Championship level player.
