Pompey will look to build on an excellent start to 2025 when they make the long trip to Sunderland on Sunday (3pm kick-off). John Mousinho's side thrashed Swansea 4-0 on the south coast on New Year's Day to climb out of the Championship's bottom three. But their away form has not been quite so impressive and they face a side who have been in imperious form on Wearside. The Black Cats are one of just two sides in the division – along with Burnley – yet to be beaten on their own patch this season. They showed just what they are capable of on Wednesday by securing a 2-1 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield United. Wilson Isidor grabbed the winner in the first half after an Eliezer Mayenda opener had been cancelled out by Luke O'Nien's own-goal. The result left Régis Le Bris' men sitting fourth in the standings and just a couple of points outside the top two. Sunderland were comfortable 3-1 victors when the sides met at Fratton Park back at the end of August. They also came out on top in the most recent contest at the Stadium of Light in January 2022, although Blues fans will still have fond memories of their Wembley triumph in the 2019 EFL Trophy final. TEAM NEWS Harvey Blair (knee), Conor Shaughnessy (calf), Mark O'Mahony (hip), Regan Poole (hamstring) and Kusini Yengi (knee) are all sidelined for Pompey. Summer signing Ibane Bowat is set to miss the the rest of the season with a serious knee issue, but Jacob Farrell and Jordan Williams are both available again. Ahmed Abdullahi (groin), Dan Ballard (knee), Alan Browne (leg), Niall Huggins (knee), Romain Mundle (hamstring), Ian Poveda (hamstring), Chris Rigg (ankle), Jenson Seelt (knee) and Tommy Watson (ankle) are all expected to miss out for the hosts. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Freddie Potts ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 37 wins Sunderland: 42 wins 35 draws On the Road Pompey: 10 wins Sunderland: 29 wins 17 draws Last Away Meeting Sunderland 1 (Embleton) Pompey 0 League One January 22 2022 TICKETS Tickets are no longer available to purchase from the Pompey ticket office and will not be sold to away fans on the day of the game. Click here to read a guide to visiting the ground that has been produced by the home club. Supporters will be subject to an enhanced search under ground regulations and will not be allowed to take coins, vapes and power banks (or any article which could be used as a missile) into the stadium. Fans will be asked to put coins into charity buckets, while other confiscated items can be collected after the game. Fans should also be aware that the weather forecast in the north-east is for snow and/or heavy rain, which may be disruptive across the weekend. OFFICIALS Referee: Thomas Bramall Assistants: Marc Perry and Mark Scholes Fourth Official: Oliver Langford Bramall last took charge of Pompey when they were narrowly beaten at Tottenham in the third round of the FA Cup in January 2023, showing one yellow card to each side. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters in the UK can watch the game live on the Sky Sports+ channel or via the app. Those based overseas can see all the action on Pompey+ (also available on the CBS Sports Golazo Network or Paramount+ in the USA), 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 in the Fratton Park studio by Andy Awford and Paul Hardyman. 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.
Sunderland Starting Line Up:- Number1, A. Patterson Number42, A. Alese Number13, L. O'Nien Number26, C. Mepham Number32, T. Hume Number7, J. Bellingham Number4, D. Neil (c), Captain Number22, A. Aouchiche Number12, Eliezer Mayenda Number10, P. Roberts Number18, W. Isidor Substitutes Number30, M. Aleksić Number3, D. Cirkin Number24, A. Connolly Number33, L. Hjelde Number41, Z. Johnson Number50, H. Jones Number21, S. Moore Number15, N. Rusyn Number47, T. Samuel-Ogunsuyi
Pompey with an unchanged starting line up. Good to see our new centre half loan signing Rob Atkinson is named on the bench - being 6'4" tall, might be useful to bring off the bench in the second half if we need him !!
Josh Murphy right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Freddie Potts following a set piece situation. 11 minutes.
A corner from Freddie Potts is punched as far as Callum Lang, whose cleanly struck shot is blocked. 15 minutes.
Josh Murphy does all the hard work after collecting Colby Bishop's flick and advancing into the box, but he sends his shot over the bar. 38 minutes.
Half time whistle goes, and it's 1-0 to the home team. After a poor start, we have played reasonably well, and created some of the best chances so far. Need to keep our concentration in the second half. Callum Lang isn't looking too good since the nasty challenge on him by Aji Alese in the 20th minute. May need to bring on Matt Ritchie for him in the second half.
Half Time Match Stats:- Overall possession Sunderland 58.7%Portsmouth 41.3% Shots Sunderland 7Portsmouth 3 Shots on target Sunderland 4Portsmouth 0 Total touches inside the box Sunderland 12Portsmouth 9 Goalkeeper saves Sunderland 0Portsmouth 2 Fouls Sunderland 5Portsmouth 3 Corners Sunderland 2Portsmouth 2
Second half has started No Pompey changes, but the home side have brought on Denis Cirkin at left back for Aji Alese.
Patterson kicks the ball straight to Colby Bishop, who lays it off to Callum Lang, but when the cross comes in, the striker can only nod wide. 49 minutes.
Josh Murphy does well to win a corner that's played short and Freddie Potts' effort is blocked. 56 minutes,
