Pompey fans were perhaps planning to start their Christmas shopping when an early FA Cup exit meant a free weekend at the start of December.
But the Blues moved fast to fill that gap by bringing forward their Checkatrade Trophy clash with Northampton.
The tie will kick-off at 12.30pm and see both sides battling it out for a place in the last 16 of the competition.
Pompey have home advantage after finishing top of Southern Group A, with a draw against Fulham U21s followed by victories over Crawley and Charlton.
Their opponents drew all three of their previous games against Cambridge, Peterborough and Southampton’s youngsters.
But they showed their penalty prowess by winning a shoot-out to claim a bonus point from all three fixtures.
There has been one meeting in this competition before, with the Cobblers coming out on top at Fratton Park in 2014.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbain’s men also triumphed at Sixfields Stadium in the league back in September, with Matty Kennedy on target for the Blues in a 3-1 defeat.
TEAM NEWS
Dion Donohue (back), Oliver Hawkins (hamstring), Kal Naismith (knee) and Brett Pitman (hamstring) are all missing for this match.
They join long-term absentees Milan Lalkovic (Achilles), Damien McCrory (knee) and Jack Whatmough (knee) on the sidelines.
Aaron Phillips (thigh) and Alex Revell (groin) are both out for the visitors, but John-Joe O’Toole, Aaron Pierre and Daniel Powell could be involved after returning to training following injuries.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read what Kenny Jackett and Oliver Hawkins have to say about the game or register for a free iFollow account to watch the below videos.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 16 Wins
Northampton: 10 Wins
7 Draws
At Fratton Park
Pompey: 10 Wins
Northampton: 3 Wins
4 Draws
TICKETS
Seats can be bought online here or at Fratton Park on the day of the game.
They will be sold from the Frogmore Road ticket office and the Fratton End booths, which open from 10am on Saturday.
Please note that the Victory Bar will not be open for this match due to a private function.
MATCH COVERAGE
This match will be screened live on iFollow via the match centre to both international and domestic subscribers as part of a trial.
Supporters can also purchase a one-off match pass for £5. Click here for more information.
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 also have updates on Twitter and via the match centre.
There will be post-match reaction on the website, iFollow and our official YouTube channel, with
highlights to follow on Sunday.
Local listeners can hear commentary on Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not online), while The News will also have extensive coverage.
BETTING
Pompey are 8/11 favourites with Sky Bet to win the game after 90 minutes, while the visitors can be backed at 4/1.
Click here to read our full betting guide and sign-up at www.skybet.com/pompey for great offers and promotions. Please gamble responsibly.
ALSO IN CHECKATRADE TROPHY
Saturday
Walsall v Bury
Tuesday
Bradford v Oldham
Fleetwood v Chesterfield
Gillingham v Oxford
Lincoln v Accrington
Luton v West Ham U21
Port Vale v Shrewsbury
Scunthorpe v Leicester U21
Swansea U21 v Charlton
Swindon v Forest Green
Yeovil v AFC Wimbledon
Wednesday
Blackpool v Mansfield
MK Dons v Chelsea U21
Peterborough v Southend
LAST TIME OUT