Supercomputer predicts a two-decade first in Southampton vs Portsmouth

Portsmouth's return to Championship action could not be any bigger this weekend as they take on fierce rivals Southampton.

John Mousinho's men claimed a 2-2 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers in their most recent match.

That contest on 19 September seems a lifetime ago now, with club football pausing for the past three weeks.

Pompey now have a short trip to Southampton on Sunday in a game that never really needs any extra hyping up.

The visitors enter the game two points behind Southampton, who started the campaign on minus four points.

Many would accept a point if offered to them now, but what is the supercomputer saying about Portsmouth's chances?

Supercomputer predicts Southampton vs Portsmouth result

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mousinho described Southampton as "heavy favourites" for this contest.

There is no denying that man for man, Southampton have the better squad.

But anything is possible in this fixture, and Pompey earned draws home and away against their bitter rivals last season.

That includes a 0-0 draw in the most recent meeting at St Mary's on 14 September last year.

In fact, the last four league encounters between the sides have finished all square.

Not since April 2005, when Pompey won 4-1, has one of the sides come out on top in the South Coast derby.

However, Opta Analyst's supercomputer can see a first league win in this fixture in over two decades.

It has given Southampton a 60.2 per cent chance of winning the contest at St Mary's.

Portsmouth have an 18.1 per cent likelihood of claiming all three points, meanwhile, and the draw is at 21.7 per cent.

What's Portsmouth's recent record in Sunday matches?

Playing on a Sunday is a rarity for Mousinho's men.

They have done so just twice over the past couple of seasons, with both of these coming against Southampton.

As previously mentioned, both of those derbies finished all square - 0-0 at St Mary's and 1-1 at Fratton Park.

Going further back, though, Pompey have won just four of their past 32 league games on a Sunday, drawing 11 of those and losing 17.

That is something they will want to put right this weekend with a famous away win.