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.
9. Matt Ritchie - Reading
The Pompey academy graduate was allowed to leave Pompey fora second time last summer after being told he was not a guaranteed regular starts this season under John Mousinho. That allowed the former Newcastle favourite to join Reading, where he's played 23 times this season and registered six assists. Ritchie could find himself back in the Championship next season, though, as the Royals sit eighth and two points outside the play-off places ahead of their game against Wigan on Saturday. | Getty Images
10. Paddy Lane - Reaading
The former Pompey forward enjoyed the Blues' League One title success more than most - but wasn't able to enjoy the Championship to the same extent. Indeed, the one-time Fleetwood man struggled to adapt to the second tier and was allowed to join Reading for an undisclosed fee last summer. Lane has settled well at the Royals and featured 27 times to date for the promotion-chasers. Whether he gets a chance to secure a second promotion from League One remains to be seen, but Reading are giving it a decent shot as they sit two points off the play-off places. | Getty Images