Portsmouth hopes v Leeds United ‘could rest solely on Marlon Pack’
Portsmouth are set for one of the biggest litmus tests of their Championship ability so far this season when they face Leeds United this coming weekend.
Leeds visit Fratton Park on Sunday (9 March) in a lunchtime kick-off in which Pompey could look to channel their home form and spring a surprise.
While most Blues fans would be over the moon with a draw, confidence will be taken from the enthralling reverse battle in the August Elland Road sun, which ended 3-3 with Leeds on the opening weekend.
John Mousinho faces further challenges by the fact the majority of his defence are sidelined through injury, with only Regan Poole and Ryley Towler available as natural centre-halves, and Marlon Pack having regularly been drafted back.
Marlon Pack v Joel Piroe a battle to watch
Portsmouth were beaten by Luton Town last Saturday (1 March), Matt Bloomfield’s side having approached the game at Kenilworth Road rooted to the bottom of the Championship without a win in 12.
It was a low point for Pompey as they struggled with injuries and continue to do so, Mousinho returning to his formerly enforced tactic of slotting the experienced captain Pack into central defence from his usual midfield offering.
Pack played alongside Poole – who himself has missed most of the season – at the expense for Portsmouth of Towler, whom it seems very clear the head coach doesn’t trust at this level.
With no other established defenders expected back for the weekend – Conor Shaughnessy, Rob Atkinson, Hayden Matthews and Jordan Williams among them – Pack is likely to retain his place alongside Poole on Sunday, this time against the on-fire Joel Piroe.
Piroe joint-leads the Championship scoring charts with Norwich City’s Borja Sainz on 15 goals, and has scored eight of those since Sainz last found the net.
Daniel Farke will hope his striker can be a match-winner in Leeds’ quest for promotion, and it’s down in no small part to Pack to prevent that.
Portsmouth should look to attack Leeds
Portsmouth have to approach Sunday’s game in a brazen manner and look to get at Leeds. It is clear that if they sit in a low block and let the Whites’ creative wizards seek avenues for 90 minutes, the defence will be breached in a matter of time.
If Pompey show the league leaders too much respect, the visitors will pick them off and target the likes of Pack, who has struggled in his defensive role in certain moments this season.
Only Plymouth Argyle have conceded more goals than the Blues in the Championship in 2024-25, while Leeds have scored 72 in 35 games – 16 more than the next highest in Norwich.
| Marlon Pack – positions played | 2024-25 starts |
| Centre-back | 16 |
| Central midfield | 11 |
The 3-3 draw between the sides on the opening weekend was breathless and could have been lost as easily as won on a day Leeds dominated but Pompey were clinical. It was a massive gamble to play that way and essentially a free-for-all, but Mousinho would never have earned that point without that bravery.
Portsmouth have been a force at home to be reckoned with, often starting games superbly and flying out the traps to startle their opponents. Leeds are top-drawer at this level, but ultimately still another Championship team for now. Let’s get at them, and a result is a bonus.