The South Coast Derby between Southampton and Portsmouth reignites one of English football’s most passionate local rivalries. Southampton vs Portsmouth, both clubs find themselves in League One after recent relegations. Southampton is following a slide from the Premier League in 2024–25, and Portsmouth is enduring consecutive drops into the third tier.
This fixture carries huge emotional weight for supporters and represents a crucial opportunity for one side to claim bragging rights.
Southampton vs Portsmouth Championship Match INFO, team news, H2H, lineups, and prediction
Southampton sit 2nd in League One with 13 points from 5 matches, unbeaten with four wins and one draw. Portsmouth occupies 8th place on 8 points, recording two wins, two draws, and two defeats.
- Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
- Time: 14:00 BST (13:00 UTC)
- Venue: St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, England
- Competition: EFL League One 2025–26 (Matchweek 6)
Southampton are strong promotion candidates under Russell Martin, while Portsmouth, under John Mousinho aim to stabilize after a turbulent start.
Southampton vs Portsmouth Recent Form
Southampton – Last 5 League Matches
- Sep 6: W 2-0 vs Charlton Athletic (Home)
- Aug 30: D 1-1 vs Bolton Wanderers (Away)
- Aug 23: W 3-1 vs Millwall (Home)
- Aug 16: W 1-0 vs Oxford United (Away)
- Aug 9: W 4-2 vs Derby County (Home)
Portsmouth – Last 5 League Matches
- Sep 6: L 1-2 vs Ipswich Town (Away)
- Aug 30: W 3-0 vs Wigan Athletic (Home)
- Aug 23: D 0-0 vs Peterborough United (Away)
- Aug 16: L 0-1 vs Plymouth Argyle (Home)
- Aug 9: W 2-1 vs Shrewsbury Town (Away)
Southampton vs Portsmouth Head-to-Head
In their last five competitive meetings (across all competitions), Southampton hold the edge with three wins, Portsmouth have one victory, and one draw. Their most recent fixture saw Southampton win 2-1 at Fratton Park in April 2024.
Southampton vs Portsmouth Prediction XI
- Southampton’s Possible Starting XI: Bazunu; Stephens, Wood, Harwood-Bellis; Roerslev, Downes, Charles, Manning; Azaz, Robinson; Archer
- Portsmouth Possible Starting XI: Schmid; Swanson, Poole, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie; Swift, Dozzell; Segecic, Chaplin, Murphy; Bishop
Key Player Battles
- Che Adams (Southampton) vs. Alex Bass (Portsmouth GK): Adams’ pace and finishing will test Portsmouth’s reliable goalkeeper, who has kept three clean sheets this season.
- Jan Bednarek (Southampton CB) vs. Colby Bishop (Portsmouth ST): Bednarek’s leadership and aerial prowess against Bishop’s goal-scoring instinct.
Tactical Outlook
- Southampton line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Martin, focusing on possession dominance, high pressing, and fluid attacking movements through wide forwards.
- Portsmouth deploy a 3-5-2 shape emphasizing defensive compactness and quick transitions. Their wing-backs provide width, while midfielders Mousinho and Wilson shield the back three.
Prediction
Southampton’s free-scoring form and home advantage make them favorites. Expect a high-intensity derby with chances at both ends, but the Saints’ superior quality should prevail.
- Predicted Score: Southampton 3-1 Portsmouth
How to Watch Southampton vs Portsmouth – South Coast Derby
The match is available live primarily through Sky Sports for viewers in the UK. International viewers should check regional sports broadcasters or official streaming services for access rights.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports Main Event
- Streaming: Sky Go (for subscribers)
- Radio: BBC Radio Solent (local radio commentary)
- Matchday Coverage: Official club websites and social media channels provide live updates and post-match analysis.
Kick-off Time:
- 14:00 BST (Local UK time)