Portsmouth will pray for one Tonda Eckert outcome at Southampton | OneFootball

Portsmouth will hope that Southampton's focus lies elsewhere ahead of derby day next Saturday

We're still in the midst of the longest international break ever seen, but as September turns into October, sides in the Championship will be ramping up preparation ahead of a return to action in a week.

The second tier left off with a couple of heated derby affairs between Millwall and West Ham United and West Brom and Wolves, and it resumes on that similar trail, too, as Portsmouth travel to St Mary's to take on Southampton in the first south coast derby of the season.

Last season was the first time the two locked horns in league action in 14 years, and neither disappointed. Both ended in stalemates, but the matchup at Fratton Park especially was one to remember, with exaggerated celebrations and heavy challenges.

Southampton are still awaiting Tonda Eckert outcome ahead of Portsmouth clash

Action Images

With there not being a winner in each of the last four league derbies, there's plenty of intrigue and lots of eyes on how this one will go. But if that wasn't enough in terms of storyline, the ongoing FA hearing regarding the charges brought against Saints boss Tonda Eckert is still yet to be resolved.

Indeed, no one knows whether Southampton's head coach will even be in the dugout for the game, as the club awaits a decision. Eckert was believed to have attended a hearing last Thursday to learn the punishment for his role in the spygate fiasco back in May.

Saints were found guilty of spying on Middlesbrough's training session ahead of their play-off semi-final first leg, and the club admitted to having spied ahead of games against Oxford United and Ipswich Town earlier in the season, too.

Back in 2024, FIFA banned Canada's women's national team head coach Bev Priestman for a year after she used a drone to spy on a rival team's training sessions. It's unknown whether the FA will use that precedent.

Tonda Eckert uncertainty will benefit Portsmouth ahead of South Coast derby

Action Images

There'd have been some hope and expectation that we'd know the outcome of the FA hearing by the end of the international break, and while there's still a week left until league action resumes in the Championship, we're no closer to finding out.

Portsmouth's players and staff have had the last two weeks and the following week, too, to prepare for this game at St Mary's. Arguably, it's their most important game in the calendar.

Southampton may claim that they've had their full focus on it, too, but you can't help but feel that, between Eckert attending the hearing and the lack of clarity they currently have over whether the German boss will be allowed to coach them in the imminent future, it is weighing on the club's mind.

Even worse would be if a decision isn't made by that South Coast derby on October 11th, as there'll still be those concerns and worries over a possible ban, while Portsmouth will be eager to get one over on their rivals.

Southampton could come out swinging against Portsmouth if Tonda Eckert is banned ahead of the South Coast derby

Action Images

On the other hand, though, if the worst-case scenario does happen, and Tonda Eckert is handed a ban, the atmosphere at St Mary's for that first game back, which is already expected to be deafening, could be even louder.

There'd be a siege mentality amongst Saints supporters if their head coach is removed from the dugout, as they feel that they've been punished enough, with them being thrown out of the play-off final and docked four points to begin this season.

And that wouldn't just affect the fans, either. There's a possibility that the players will come out more fired up than ever if the decision regarding Eckert doesn't go their way. Those who were part of the squad last season, especially, will share the feeling that they've had enough done to them already.

Adding to that, St Mary's has been a real fortress for Southampton so far this season, winning all four of their games and scoring 15 goals in the process. A fired-up Saints side could absolutely trounce their rivals if they come out with that point to prove.

Southampton vs Portsmouth will be box office, regardless of Tonda Eckert outcome

Action Images

From a Portsmouth point of view, though, they'll be hoping for uncertainty amongst the Saints squad, as that could give them the mental edge over their rivals.

They'd be fully focused on the outcome of the match, while Southampton's players may still have that worry over a potential ban in the back of their minds.

A win would not only propel Pompey ahead of Saints in the Championship table, too, but it would help push them away from early-season danger. Currently, Portsmouth are sitting in 19th, with eight points from seven games.