Preston v Portsmouth: play-off push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Preston North End host Portsmouth in the Championship at Deepdale on Saturday, 7 February 2026, with ninth facing 19th and points vital for a play-off chase and a survival bid.

Portsmouth have won two of the past three meetings, though Preston North End's sole victory in that run came at Deepdale in March 2025. The picture is clear: the home side are chasing the top six, while the visitors aim to keep distance from the bottom three.

Preston halted a four-game losing run with a draw at Ipswich after defeats by Middlesbrough, Hull and Derby. Portsmouth's league form has steadied at W D D W, capped by a 3-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion.

The hosts are without Robbie Brady, Brad Potts, Andrew Hughes and goalkeeper Daniel Iversen. Portsmouth miss creator Joshua Murphy, who has six Championship assists this season, and striker Colby Bishop, plus defenders Conor Shaughnessy and Josh Knight.

On season numbers, Preston have scored 37 and conceded 34 with eight clean sheets, while Portsmouth sit at 27 for and 37 against. Possession profiles differ slightly, with the visitors averaging 49% to the hosts' 45%. Lewis Norman Dobbin's five assists highlight a supply line for Preston, who have delivered 428 open play crosses at 19.16% accuracy. Portsmouth may look to build with the ball and use wide service too, having attempted 422 open play crosses at 20.38% accuracy.

Preston are on 44 points in ninth and a win could pull them closer to the top six. Portsmouth sit 19th on 33 points and victory could push them further from the relegation places.