David Prutton expects ‘feisty affair’ as Southampton vs Portsmouth score prediction shared

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All eyes will be on the South Coast this weekend as the Saints take on Pompey at St. Mary’s, and according to David Prutton’s Southampton vs Portsmouth score prediction, we’re in for a great game.

It’s been a long time coming, but the first league meeting between Southampton and Portsmouth in 13 years is finally upon us.

The two sides come into this game with contrasting fortunes of late. Southampton are struggling under Will Still in the early stages of the season, while John Mousinho’s side are sitting in the top half of the table.

Southampton and Pompey fans are arguing over the upcoming game already, and those tensions are sure to rise further still by the time Sunday’s match rolls around.

• READ MORE: Southampton already have upper hand over John Mousinho before a ball’s been kicked

David Prutton’s Southampton vs Portsmouth score prediction

Police have warned fans ahead of the South Coast derby, with an intense atmosphere expected at St. Mary’s before, during, and after the match.

That’s a sentiment not lost on David Prutton, who was telling Simeon Gholam what we can expect from the game this weekend during the latest episode of the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast.

Gholam said: “A big old doozy of a game… six years since they last met, when Southampton were in the Premier League and Portsmouth were in League One. Now, Pompey are above them. Obviously it’s very early but this feels big.”

Prutton replied: “It’s one of the biggest in EFL terms this. It’s a feisty affair, they absolutely hate each other, which bodes well for the game. It’s really harshly fought. The way they’ve started, it’s nicely balanced. Will Still has so many players at his disposal, and John Mousinho has that strong team spirit there and togetherness. Both are to be respected.

“Right now, given where they find themselves, it’s as balanced as you could wish for… it’s set so nicely for a real exhibition… I’m hoping it’s a spectacle. I will go 2-2 for this one.”

• READ MORE: Mads Roerslev makes exciting promise to Southampton fans ahead of Portsmouth derby clash

Southampton cannot afford to lose to Portsmouth this weekend

A 2-2 draw would be great for neutrals. It would also be a pretty good result for Pompey away from home. But, dropping points against their fierce rivals at St. Mary’s would be far from ideal for Southampton.

The Saints were tipped to be clear promotion favourites at the start of the season. In our Championship preview for 2025/26 we had them down as one of the top teams in the league. They’ve certainly not looked that way yet.

Surely, this disappointing start is just a blip, though. Southampton have some of the best players in the Championship at their disposal, and anything less than promotion would be a failure this term.

In our Championship predictions for this week, we said Southampton will win. Surely, if anyone is taking the three points, it’ll be the home team.