There was no meeting last season, but Accrington have been regular opponents for Pompey over the past few years.
The sides faced off during all four of the Blues’ campaigns in the fourth tier of football, while there was also an FA Cup clash during that time.
Before that, however, there had not been a meeting in more than 50 years, with the two teams having never previously shared a division.
LAST SEASON
Accrington defied expectations by not just securing automatic promotion, but then going on to secure the League Two title.
The 76 goals they scored was fewer than the two sides directly behind them – Luton and Wycombe – but Stanley lost just three times in 2018 to storm to top spot.
THE MANAGER
John Coleman has been in charge at the Crown Ground since 2014, but previously spent 12-and-a-half years as manager between 1999 and 2012.
That first spell at the helm saw Accrington win three promotions and enter the Football League in 2006.
Coleman – who spent most of his playing career in non-league – has also managed Ashton, Rochdale, Southport and Sligo.
POMPEY CONNECTIONS
There are no former Blues players in the Stanley squad.
HEAD TO HEAD
Pompey: 6 wins
Accrington: 2 wins
4 draws
Last Fratton meeting
Pompey 2 (Clarke, Naismith)
Accrington 0
League Two
February 11 2017
Last away meeting
Accrington 1 (Lacey)
Pompey 0
League Two
September 17 2016
STANLEY STATS
Formed: 1968 (original club formed in 1891, but folded in 1966)
Best league finish: 1st in League Two (2017/18)
Nickname: Stanley
Distance from Fratton Park: 274.2 miles
Estimated drive time: 4 hours 35 minutes
2018/19 title odds: 66/1
10-YEAR HISTORY
2017/18 League Two: 1st
2016/17 League Two: 13th
2015/16 League Two: 4th
2014/15 League Two: 17th
2013/14 League Two: 15th
2012/13 League Two: 18th
2011/12 League Two: 14th
2010/11 League Two: 5th
2009/10 League Two: 15th
2008/09 League Two: 16th