Preview: Portsmouth vs. Sunderland - prediction, team news, lineups

Sunderland will attempt to maintain their perfect start to the Championship season when they travel to the South coast for Saturday's meeting with Portsmouth.

Meanwhile, Pompey are still waiting to clinch their first win of the season, having drawn all three of their league matches.

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Match preview

Portsmouth are sitting in 13th spot after taking a point from their opening three matches of their first Championship season since 2011-12.

Last season's League One champions began their 2024-25 campaign with an entertaining 3-3 draw against Leeds United, before they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat in their first-round EFL Cup clash against Millwall.

After playing out a goalless draw with Luton Town, Pompey appeared to be on course to claim their first win of the season when they took a 2-1 lead against Middlesbrough thanks to a Christian Saydee brace.

However, they ultimately had to settle for a point after Tommy Conway scored a 90th-minute penalty to ensure that the spoils were shared at the Riverside Stadium.

John Mousinho's side will now turn their focus to their first meeting with Sunderland since suffering a 1-0 away defeat in a League One clash in January 2022.

Pompey may be able to draw inspiration from the fact that they recorded a comprehensive 4-0 win in their most recent home game against the Black Cats in October 2021.

Sunderland made an impressive start to life under Regis Le Bris, with their first three league matches producing maximum points.

The Black Cats kicked off the campaign with a 2-0 away win over Cardiff City, before they suffered a home defeat in their EFL Cup first-round meeting with Preston North End.

Le Bris's side quickly put their EFL Cup exit behind them, going on to claim a commanding 4-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday before edging out recently-relegated Burnley last weekend.

Romaine Mundle's first-half strike proved enough to guide Sunderland to a narrow 1-0 victory over the Clarets at the Stadium of Light.

As a result of the 1-0 win, the Black Cats have recorded three consecutive league clean sheets, ensuring that they are the only side yet to concede in the Championship this season.

Having taken maximum points from their three matches, Sunderland will head into Saturday's contest as the early league leaders, and they will be looking to maintain their lofty position ahead of the international break.

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Team News

Portsmouth remain without the services of Regan Poole, Tom McIntyre, Jacob Farrell, Tom Lowery, Josh Murphy and Colby Bishop.

However, Mousinho is hopeful that Conor Shaughnessy will be available after missing the draw against Middlesbrough through illness.

Boro loanee Sammy Silvera was ineligible to face his parent club, but he is in contention to start Saturday's home fixture.

Freddie Potts and Mark O'Mahony are likely to be involved in some capacity after joining the club during the week.

As for the visitors, Le Bris has confirmed that Aji Alese is set for a spell on the sidelines after he sustained an ankle injury in training.

Niall Huggins and Jenson Seelt are long-term absentees, while Dan Neil will serve a one-match suspension following his late red card against Burnley.

Summer signing Wilson Isidor has received international clearance and is expected to feature in Saturday's matchday squad.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup: Norris; Williams, Shaughnessy, Towler, Ogilvie; Dozzell, Pack; Lane, Lang, Silvera; Saydee

Sunderland possible starting lineup: Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Ballard, Cirkin; Browne, Rigg; Roberts, Bellingham, Mundle; Mayenda

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We say: Portsmouth 1-2 Sunderland

Portsmouth may have avoided defeat in each of their opening three outings, but we think that they will suffer their first Championship loss of the season against a Sunderland side that will be full of confidence following their perfect start to their league campaign.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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