The second of Pompey’s quartet of successive away fixtures sees them make the relatively short trip up to Reading on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
In fact, it is the briskest of all league treks for the Blues this season, with a round-trip of just over 100 miles.
Despite being close in a geographical sense, there is a stark difference in the mood in the respective camps.
John Mousinho’s men are sitting at the top of the League One standings and have yet to experience defeat this season.
Reading, meanwhile, appear to be in a tailspin following their relegation from the Championship last term.
They had been in 10th position at the turn of the year, but tumbled down the table and a six-point penalty for breaching regulations proved costly.
Former Southampton boss Rubén Sellés was tasked with getting them back to the second tier, but the Royals are currently in the drop zone.
They have not been helped by a further deduction of four points and fans have previously made their displeasure known with a variety of protests.
The Berkshire outfit have lost their past four league games and were beaten 2-1 on home soil by Fleetwood earlier in the week.
These sides have not shared a division since the 2011/12 Championship campaign, when each won 1-0 on their own patch.
TEAM NEWS
Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom Lowery (knee), Connor Ogilvie (ankle), Marlon Pack (ankle) and Anthony Scully (knee) are all sidelined.
But Sean Raggett and Gavin Whyte are both available again after recovering from their respective illnesses.
Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Ovie Ejaria, Amadou Mbengue, Tom McIntyre and Joel Pereira are all injury or fitness doubts for Reading.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Will Norris ahead of the game.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 21 wins
Reading: 12 wins
14 draws
On the road
Pompey: 8 wins
Reading: 8 wins
7 draws
TICKETS
Pompey have sold their full allocation for the game, so please do not travel if you do not already have a ticket.
Supporters collecting tickets at Reading should note that the away ticket office is open from 1.30pm on Saturday.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Martin Coy
Attendance: David Harrison and Justin Amey
Fourth Official: Christopher Husband
MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday.
Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary.
Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device.
We will have key updates throughout the game on Twitter and a detailed blog via the match centre.
There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday.
Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).
ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 3pm
Barnsley v Fleetwood
Blackpool v Peterborough
Bristol Rovers v Northampton
Burton v Leyton Orient
Cambridge v Carlisle
Charlton v Bolton
Exeter v Lincoln
Oxford v Wycombe
Port Vale v Cheltenham
Stevenage v Derby
Wigan v Shrewsbury
CLASSIC CONTEST
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