We all know Pompey run the serious risk of being back in League One next season if they can’t turn their Championship fortunes around.
A run of five defeats from their past six games left John Mousinho’s side just one place and a point above the relegation zone heading into the international break.
And with the Blues having only eight games - one match more than their relegation rivals - left to demonstate their Championship credentials, the pressure will well and truly be on them to deliver over the remaining five weeks of the season.
If they don’t produce the goods in that period, they’ll be back in the third tier of English football - a level they inhabited for seven long seasons before securing promotion to the Championship in 2023-24.
They also run the risk of being bypassed by several former Pompey players who were allowed to leave during the Fratton Park side’s pursuit of Championship quality.
Indeed, there’s an abundance for ex-Blues players who could be operating at Championship level next season as Pompey plot a way out of League One once again.
Here’s 13 players who could be playing at a higher level than the Blues during the 2026-27 season after being let go by the Fratton Park outfit.
1. Reeco Hackett - Lincoln City
The 2020 Kenny Jackett signing was allowed to join Lincoln for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2023, after 79 appearances and 11 goals for Pompey. But he now stands on the brink of playing Championship football next season as the League One-leading Imps close in on automatic promotion. They have a seven-point advantage over second-placed Cardiff and are 18 points clear of Bolton in third. And Hackett has played his part, contributing nine goals and seven assists in his 34 league games played. | Getty Images
2. Ryley Towler - Lincoln City
Another key member of the Lincoln City side that has taken League One by storm this season. He's featured 33 times for Michael Skubala's side this term to date, following his move to Sincil Bank for an undisclosed fee last summer. A firm favourite among the Fratton faithful, he departed after 45 games and five goals, with many believing he deserved more of a chance at PO4 during his two-and-a-half year stay. | Getty Images
3. Lee Evans - Bradford City
Evans joined Pompey in March 2024 in search of first-team football after undergoing medial ligament reconstruction on his right knee - and subsequently made four appearances. That handed the former Ipswich man his third League One title, yet there was no contract extension and instead he joined Blackpool in July on a two-year deal. Picked up by fourth-placed Bradford during the January transfer window, the midfielder has featured five times for the Bantams as they look to secure a play-off spot. Photo: Jason Brown
4. Owen Moxon - Stockport County
The League One title winner, featured 15 times for Pompey over the second half of the 2023-24 season following his January move from Carlisle and played 12 Championship games for the Blues last term. He ended his two-year stay at Fratton Park last January, when he moved to The Stags. He's currently not part of the Stockport side that sits fifth in the table, having joined Wigan on loan last month. Yet, the midfielder is under contract at Edgeley Park until 2028 and will be classified a Championship player again if Dave Challinor's side book promotion via the play-offs. | Getty Images