Sky Sports set to make imminent Southampton and Portsmouth announcement
Portsmouth secured Championship survival last season, and this will mean their rivalry with Southampton is now reignited.
Southampton and Portsmouth have not faced each other in a league game since 2012, but the derby will return next season, in two highly anticipated games.
John Mousinho’s side will come up against Will Still’s team following their relegation from the Premier League, and fans are eager to find out when the derbies will take place.
The dates for the first clash will now be confirmed imminently, and it is coming up fairly early in the Championship season.
Southampton v Portsmouth date set to be confirmed
The first South Coast derby of next season will now likely take place on Sunday, September 14, with a midday kick-off at St Mary’s Stadium.
Portsmouth will be up against it as they travel to face Southampton in what will be a hostile atmosphere, and they will have the chance to make a statement as they aim to close a decade-long gap to their rivals.
Sky Sports are set to confirm this fixture for television coverage imminently, as per journalist Jake Smith on X (3 July).
| Date | Sunday, 14 September |
| Kick-off time | 12pm |
| Stadium | St Mary’s |
| Matchday | 5 |
“Southampton vs Pompey looking likely to be played 12pm on Sunday 14th September,” Smith wrote.
“Announcement from EFL/both clubs/Sky Sports anticipated either today or tomorrow. (Today was Sky’s deadline to move fixtures originally scheduled up to the end of September).”
Portsmouth can make statement v Southampton
Portsmouth and Southampton are now in the same division for the first time in over 12 years, with Pompey finally closing the gap after years of being below their rivals in the football pyramid.
Southampton endured a woeful season as they were relegated as one of the worst-performing teams in Premier League history, while Portsmouth fans were delighted as they finished in a respectable 16th place in the Championship.
With the two sides facing each other early on in the season, there could be the opportunity for Portsmouth to pull ahead of their rivals, and they will hope to record a statement win at the home of their bitter rivals.
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