Portsmouth v Leeds United: Official announcement made ahead of Fratton Park clash
Portsmouth welcome Leeds United to Fratton Park on Sunday for arguably their most difficult remaining fixture of the season.
Pompey face the league leaders in Sunday’s early kick-off as both sides look to get back to winning ways at Fratton Park, with John Mousinho’s side losing to Luton last time out as Leeds drew with West Brom.
Prior to last weekend’s stumbling blocks, Portsmouth had won three straight games and Leeds had put together five victories in a row, taking the latter five points clear at the top of the Championship table.
That gap could be down to zero by the time of kick-off at Fratton Park, and with Portsmouth keen to pull clear of the relegation zone, they’ll be hopeful of giving Leeds another setback on the south coast.
Referee announcement made ahead of Portsmouth v Leeds United
Portsmouth will be few people’s favourites to take the three points at Fratton Park on Sunday, and their chances of doing so may be further reduced after an EFL announcement prior to the game taking place.
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| 1 | Leeds United | 35 | 22 | 10 | 3 | +50 | 76 |
| 17 | Portsmouth | 35 | 10 | 9 | 16 | –14 | 39 |
Leeds shared via their website on 7 March that Robert Jones will take charge of the match, making a first officiating appearance at Fratton Park having previously refereed Portsmouth twice away from home.
Jones has arguably proven to be a good luck charm for Leeds down the years, with the Whites winning nine of their 17 fixtures he has officiated, drawing on five occasions and only losing three times.
Portsmouth need everything to go their way v Leeds United
Pompey will certainly be up against it when facing Daniel Farke’s table-topping Leeds side, not least due to the fact that Mousinho has just two fit centre-backs to pick from amid an injury crisis in defence.
Ryley Towler and Marlon Pack will likely be forced to fill in at the back for the Blues as they have done so often this season, but facing the Championship’s best attack – by some distance – will be a tall order.
Mousinho will take some crumbs of comfort from the fact that Portsmouth held Leeds to a 3-3 draw at Elland Road on the opening day; an end-to-end match which saw the hosts equalise in the last minute.
Portsmouth being one of four clubs to come away from Elland Road with at least a point this term gives them cause to be confident at Fratton Park, and as was the case in August, an upset could be on the cards.