'If I’m honest' - Matt Le Tissier drops claim ahead of Southampton v Portsmouth | OneFootball

The Saints legend hopes that Sunday's South Coast derby lives up to the bill

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier hopes that the South Coast Derby between Saints and Portsmouth can be a livelier affair than what the two dished up last season.

As the longest international break draws to a close, tension has been building towards Derby Day on the South Coast, as Portsmouth travel to St Mary's to take on Southampton.

This is the first time the two sides have spent consecutive seasons in the same division since the 2003/04 and 2004/05 campaigns, and many will hope that the two meetings this season will have a bit more about them than last year's.

Indeed, both were cagey affairs, especially the first matchup at St Mary's, a goalless draw which was contested inside the opening five games with Will Still in charge at Southampton.

Matt Le Tissier outlines hope for Southampton against Portsmouth on Sunday

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Last September was the first league derby between the two since April 2012. One of the few positives surrounding Southampton's relegation from the top flight in 2025 was that this old rivalry would be renewed.

Ultimately, the matchup wasn't worthy of all the hype leading up to it. Both sides came into the game not wanting to lose, and the result was a rather drab affair with just two shots on target throughout the game.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, ex-Saints forward Le Tissier attributed that to the club struggling to get to grips under Will Still, and expects that, with a more settled approach to games now under Tonda Eckert, his side can come away with all three points.

"I have to say, last year’s derbies were a real disappointment," he said. "[There was] massive build up to it and I just feel like the game itself was a big letdown. I thought it was a poor quality football match.

"You would probably say Portsmouth probably had the better chances in the game, if I’m honest.

"So that’s something we need to rectify, and I think the game last season came at a time when we weren’t in great form under a new manager. I think this time around we’re a bit more prepared for it and I expect three points."

Matt Le Tissier opens up about how big the South Coast derby is

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Despite spending all 16 years of his professional career at Southampton, Le Tissier only played in two South Coast derbies — as a substitute in a 2-0 league loss in 1988 and then starting in a 3-0 FA Cup win back in 1996.

With this being just the sixth season since 1976 that the two rivals are in the same division, it's perhaps understandable as to why the meeting at St Mary's was a cagey one.

Both sides drew their league meetings in the 2011/12 campaign — the last time they were in the same league — meaning that this game hasn't had a winner in league action since Pompey won 4-1 in a Premier League meeting back in April 2005. Southampton's last league win came five months earlier.

It's a big game for both fan bases, and Le Tissier, who is an advisor to the board at St Mary's, spoke about that from a Saints perspective.

"It’s the one the fans look forward to when the fixtures came out," he added. "I’m no different really. You want to see the derbies.

"[I speak to] everyone. I’ve had so many phone calls from people asking if I can get them tickets. I know just how popular this is, and it’s from ex-players to fans to members of staff. It’s a big one."

According to the 57-year-old, Southampton had an internal friendly during the international break to keep sharp, but Tonda Eckert has opted for the last week to be quite low-key, ensuring his side are raring to go in training this week.

"I know the players had a little friendly against Aston Villa and then the manager gave them a whole week off to keep themselves fresh and come back Monday and be raring to go for the game on Sunday."

Neutral fans will hope for a similar derby to last meeting at Fratton Park

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The last time the two sides met was at Fratton Park back in late January. With over half of the season gone, this matchup had a fiercer derby feeling, unlike earlier, which was clouded by the early-season need for points.

There was much more goalmouth action, and Leo Scienza stole headlines after scoring, with a celebration which saw him run the length of the field to join the travelling fans, but not before goading the Pompey supporters on the way,

Then, the home fans came unglued when Ebou Adams netted the equaliser on what was his home debut for .

Sunday's meeting, you feel, will have that edge to it, despite it still being early days in the campaign, especially with the FA hearing surrounding the charges against Saints boss Tonda Eckert still yet to have a verdict. The closer to game day we get without a resolution will only stoke anticipation further.

A win for Pompey would see them leapfrog their rivals, while Southampton will be keen to continue their impressive home form, after four straight wins at St Mary's to start the season.