PREVIEW | Portsmouth vs Watford - team news, lineups, predictions | OneFootball

Portsmouth and Watford clash this Wednesday at the Fratton Park on Match Day eight of the EFL Championship.

Portsmouth have picked up 8 points and currently lie in 17th position. In their last fixture, John Mousinho's team suffered a 2-1 reverse against Ipswich Town (EFL Championship 2025/26).

Watford have 8 points to their name this season and occupy 16th position in the table. In their last fixture, Paulo Pezzolano's team won 2-1 against Hull City (EFL Championship 2025/26).

The last meeting between the two teams ended with Portsmouth winning 1-0.

The Fan Zone

Freddie Webb (Pompey News Now / PO4cast): An almost inevitable defeat away to Ipswich Town didn’t come as a surprise to many Pompey fans. Depleted forward areas and the Tractor Boys coming back to form was enough for The Blues to go home from East Anglia empty-handed.

Marlon Pack’s stellar performance off the bench was a positive glimmer of hope, not only scoring from a corner but providing a stabilising presence in the midfield.

John Mousinho’s men are back at Fratton Park and take on a Watford side with an eclectic bunch of issues. Paulo Pezzolano’s meek team talk leaked on social media made an uncertain situation worse, with fans saying they don’t have a defined style of play and formation. Individual quality is high though, so it would be honours even. Portsmouth will be hoping for more though.

Prediction: 2-2

James Batchelor (TheWatfordWay): Watford return to Championship action on Wednesday night with a tricky away trip to Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Saturday’s victory over Hull City relieved some of the pressure on Paulo Pezzolano, but anything less than three points midweek will put the spotlight firmly back on the head coach.

This fixture has playfully been dubbed the Kwadwo Baah Derby after his memorable antics at Vicarage Road last season. However, his involvement is uncertain after he was spotted leaving the stadium in a sling following a heavy fall at the weekend. Even so, he’s expected to play some part.

Giorgi Chakvetadze remains sidelined and is still some way from a return to fitness, but aside from the Georgian midfielder, Watford travel with a strong squad and plenty of depth across the pitch. If the Hornets are serious about mounting a top-six challenge, three points on Wednesday are vital - not only for the team’s ambitions but also for Pezzolano’s future.

Prediction: 1-1

Predicted lineups

Portsmouth: Josef Bursik, Zak Swanson, Josh Knight, Regan Poole, Connor Ogilvie, Andre Dozzell, Luke Le Roux, Adrian Segecic, Conor Chaplin, Florian Bianchini, Colby Bishop

Watford: Egil Selvik, Max Alleyne, Kévin Keben, Formose Mendy, Jérémy Petris, Imran Louza, Hector Kyprianou, Rocco Vata, Caleb Wiley, Nestory Irankunda, Luca Kjerrumgaard

Unavailable

Portsmouth

Watford

Last starting XIs

Portsmouth ( vs Ipswich Town 2025-09-27): Josef Bursik, Zak Swanson, Josh Knight, Regan Poole, Connor Ogilvie, Luke Le Roux, Andre Dozzell, Mark Kosznovszky, Adrian Segecic, Yang Min-Hyeok, Colby Bishop

Watford ( vs Hull City 2025-09-27): Nathan Baxter, Max Alleyne, Kévin Keben, Mattie Pollock, Jeremy Ngakia, Nampalys Mendy, Jérémy Petris, Edo Kayembe, Imran Louza, Vivaldo Semedo, Nestory Irankunda