Tom Waddingham axed with player position switched – Portsmouth predicted XI v Derby
John Mousinho could make another key switch to his Portsmouth side as Derby County visit Fratton Park in what is now considered a six-pointer.
Pompey are back on home turf on Saturday (12 April) – perhaps fortunately, given the huge contrast between the home and away form of Mousinho’s side this season.
Life on the road is what keeps the Blues just three points above the Championship relegation zone, with Derby another of at least eight teams battling to avoid the drop with five games to play.
Mousinho to make one change v Derby
Portsmouth have been sucker-punched away from home twice in a matter of days, with Millwall winning their bout in the 87th minute at The Den last Saturday (5 April), before Coventry City left it until the fourth minute of stoppage time to break royal blue hearts.
Mousinho‘s side have now lost 12 of their last 13 on the road, but form is much healthier at Fratton Park which could save the Blues’ campaign – and the head coach is unlikely to go with the same starting XI from the CBS Arena (9 April).
Tom Waddingham was given his first start for Portsmouth at Coventry and was brought off shortly before the hour mark. Matt Ritchie was benched, though he is very likely to return to the XI on Saturday in the young Australian’s place.
This would mean Adil Aouchiche will move central, having occupied a wide-right role vacated by Ritchie, to allow Waddingham the number 10 berth on Wednesday night.
Elsewhere, the team is expected to remain the same, barring any surprises.
The back four gave all they had as they absorbed constant waves of Coventry pressure in midweek, only to come unstuck right at the death. The backline should remain the same, that likelihood further solidified by a setback for Alex Milosevic, who remains yet to make his debut.
Portsmouth likely safe with a win, could be relegated with a defeat
The relegation fight is so tight in the Championship and still involves that many clubs, that one result could tip one team over the edge.
Portsmouth will likely do as well as securing safety with a win against Derby this weekend, making life very tough for John Eustace’s Rams in doing so.
However, if the visitors flip the script – they have already beaten Pompey 4-0 this season at Pride Park back in December – then they are likely to be safe with the Blues staring down the barrel.
| POS | Championship table 2024-25 | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 17 | PORTSMOUTH | 41 | 45 | -16 |
| 18 | Oxford | 41 | 45 | -18 |
| 19 | Hull | 41 | 44 | -9 |
| 20 | Stoke | 41 | 44 | -12 |
| 21 | Derby | 41 | 42 | -10 |
| 22 | Cardiff | 41 | 42 | -20 |
| 23 | Luton | 41 | 40 | -25 |
| 24 | Plymouth | 41 | 37 | -39 |
For a Portsmouth side that only a matter of weeks ago sat a wonderful 10 points above the drop zone, it would be nothing short of catastrophic, having essentially done the hard work.
As well as facing Derby, the final day of the campaign on 3 May sees fellow survival rivals Hull City come to PO4. Everything is crossed it doesn’t go that far down to the wire.