Portsmouth played out a thriller with Leeds United at Elland Road
Portsmouth played out a thriller with Leeds United at Elland Road

John Mousinho starts four new signings in first XI of season for Leeds United v Portsmouth

Dan Godfrey

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites including Pompey News between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelancer in various sports. Dan was born and raised in Portsmouth, comes from a Pompey-supporting family, and was in attendance at both of the club's FA Cup finals in 2008 and 2010.

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John Mousinho has named his first starting XI of the new Championship season, as four new Portsmouth heads start at Leeds United.

Jordan Williams, Andre Dozzell, Sam Silvera and Elias Sorensen all come into the side as the first game in the second tier for Pompey looms in over 12 years.

The Blues officially confirmed their starting XI for the opening weekend on their X account [10 August] as an emotionally charged day takes place at Elland Road.

Four new faces start for Portsmouth

Portsmouth are raring to go and have named four of their eight summer signings in the starting XI, with Danish striker Sorensen leading the attack in the absence of Kusini Yengi, and Colby Bishop as he rehabilitates from his heart issue.

Sam Silvera starts on the left-hand side with Matt Ritchie fit for a place on the bench.

Jordan Williams slots in at right-back having previously played in the division with Barnsley, and Dozzell partners skipper Marlon Pack in the heart of the midfield.

It's a huge game for Ryley Towler who sits alongside Player of the Year Conor Shaughnessy at centre-half - the former Bristol City man started just three League One games last season and has plenty to prove to Mousinho.

Free hit mentality for Portsmouth fans

Although it's an eagerly anticipated day, the pressure is unarguably on Leeds, who have no margin for error in their mission to get promoted at the second attempt.

The aim for the Blues is consolidation and the sold-out away end will act as a huge catalyst for the team to play with the shackles off.

Whilst a potential hiding would be disappointing, there is a quiet confidence that Pompey can put in an organised and competitive performance.

Some predict Portsmouth can even snatch a result from Elland Road, and with the unpredictability of the Championship, it wouldn't raise as many eyebrows as first thought.

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