Portsmouth v Southampton: Championship south coast derby preview

There is no doubt that if Portsmouth had a fully fit squad then Mousinho and the Pompey fans would feel plenty of confidence going into the game.

But injuries have held them back this season, with key players Josh Murphy, Callum Lang and Conor Shaughnessy set to be missing for the derby.

Murphy was instrumental in the first game, and Shaughnessy has looked to have the potential to be Pompey’s best defender when he has played this season.

They will no doubt still have confidence in those they do have going into this game, but the team will be far from at full strength.

Against Watford on Wednesday, Mousinho had to shuffle full-back Connor Ogilvie to centre-half alongside Regan Poole, with the inexperienced Ibane Bowat their only other fit central defender.

“It’s worth remembering Southampton’s team cost vastly more to put together than Portsmouth’s, and their wage bill is multiples of Pompey’s,” BBC Radio Solent’s Portsmouth commentator Andrew Moon said.

“Murphy, Lang and Shaughnessy are also their three best players.

“If John Mousinho can add a south coast derby win to his impressive list of achievements at the club, it will cement his legacy as one of the best managers at Fratton Park in recent memory.”