29-08-2025, 07:52
Team News
After picking up a rib injury in the midweek cup defeat, Milutin Osmajić will be assessed ahead of this fixture.
Mads Frøkjær returned to training on Thursday and is expected to be available for the first time since North End faced Barrow in the Carabao Cup.
Lewis Gibson, who has been suffering with a minor ankle injury, is also hoping to be good to go.
The Hosts
After finishing 16th in their first season back in the Championship following promotion in 2023/24, Portsmouth have made a steady start to the new campaign.
John Mousinho’s side began with a bang on the opening day, beating Oxford United by a goal to nil, before a home defeat to Norwich City and a draw away at West Brom.
They’ve been stung with the news this week that forward Callum Lang will miss up to 12 weeks with a hamstring injury. Loan man Florian Bianchini came in to fill that gap at the Hawthorns last weekend.
Match Officials
Referee: Tony Harrington
Assistant Referees: Marc Perry and Craig Taylor
Fourth Official: Craig Hicks
Experienced official Tony Harrington will referee this weekend’s fixture.
Ironically, the previous occasion which he took charge of a North End match was when they last took on Portsmouth, in March 2025.
So far this season, he’s shown ten yellow cards and one red in three matches, with the latest of them being Grimsby Town’s cup upset against Manchester United.
We’ve Met Before
North End won 2-1 at Deepdale the last time these two met, with a brilliant goal from Stefán Thórdarson winning the game.
After picking up a rib injury in the midweek cup defeat, Milutin Osmajić will be assessed ahead of this fixture.
Mads Frøkjær returned to training on Thursday and is expected to be available for the first time since North End faced Barrow in the Carabao Cup.
Lewis Gibson, who has been suffering with a minor ankle injury, is also hoping to be good to go.
The Hosts
After finishing 16th in their first season back in the Championship following promotion in 2023/24, Portsmouth have made a steady start to the new campaign.
John Mousinho’s side began with a bang on the opening day, beating Oxford United by a goal to nil, before a home defeat to Norwich City and a draw away at West Brom.
They’ve been stung with the news this week that forward Callum Lang will miss up to 12 weeks with a hamstring injury. Loan man Florian Bianchini came in to fill that gap at the Hawthorns last weekend.
Match Officials
Referee: Tony Harrington
Assistant Referees: Marc Perry and Craig Taylor
Fourth Official: Craig Hicks
Experienced official Tony Harrington will referee this weekend’s fixture.
Ironically, the previous occasion which he took charge of a North End match was when they last took on Portsmouth, in March 2025.
So far this season, he’s shown ten yellow cards and one red in three matches, with the latest of them being Grimsby Town’s cup upset against Manchester United.
We’ve Met Before
North End won 2-1 at Deepdale the last time these two met, with a brilliant goal from Stefán Thórdarson winning the game.
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?