There are less than six days to go until Pompey’s 2025-26 Championship curtain raiser against Oxford United.
The Blues rounded off their preparations for the new campaign with a 1-0 triumph over PEC Zwolle on Saturday afternoon in front of 8,237 supporters at Fratton Park.
Thomas Waddingham was on the scoresheet as John Mousinho’s men maintained their unbeaten pre-season programme, which saw them fail to concede in any of their seven friendlies.
All eyes are now on next weekend’s opening-day contest at the Kassam Stadium, with Pompey looking to get off to a winning start.
Saturday’s fixture against the Eredivisie outfit could be an indication of how the Blues will line-up against the U’s, with Colby Bishop a huge doubt for the opener.
Meanwhile, new signings Mark Kosznovszky, Luke Le Roux and Florian Bianchini face a battle to start as they bed into new life on the south coast.
Here’s what Pompey’s current strongest XI and bench looks like heading into the opening day of the season.
5. CB: Regan Poole
Poole has been Shaughnessy’s main partner at the heart of defence for large parts of pre-season, with the pair looking strong at the back. The Blues, of course, failed to concede in any of their seven friendlies ahead of the new season. | Simon Roe/ProSportsImages
6. LB: Connor Ogilvie
The left-back faces tough competition with the returning Jacob Farrell. Has looked impressive throughout pre-season and played a key role in Saturday’s winner against PEC Zwolle. | Steve Bailey/ProSportsImages
7. CM: John Swift
The middle of the park is where the most questions will be asked going into the opening day. Swift looked good alongside Dozzell on Saturday and was utilised in the number six role. With Kosznovszky and Le Roux making substitute appearances, it may well be too soon for them to start next weekend - leaving Swift as one of the favourites to make the XI. | Paul Phelan/ProSportsImages
8. CM: Andre Dozzell
The midfielder has been an ever-present in the engine room throughout pre-season and looked solid once again against PEC Zwolle. Partnered Swift and played slightly more advanced in the number eight position. Dozzell, of course, scored the opener when the two sides last met in February. | Steve Bailey/ProSportsImages