Pompey’s current league placing means they are, technically, the best side in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup.
So they will be keen to avoid an upset when they visit National League strugglers Maidenhead this weekend.
And there will likely be plenty of neutrals cheering on the underdogs, with the game taking place in front of the BT Sport cameras.
The Blues, of course, beat Cardiff to lift the trophy for a second time back in 2008, then returned to Wembley and were narrowly beaten in the final two years later.
But it has been fairly slim pickings since then, with their only victories in the competition occurring during a 2015/16 run to the fourth round.
Their latest opponents needed a replay to see off lower league Chippenham in the fourth qualifying round and set-up this clash with the Blues.
But that is the Magpies only victory since beating Chesterfield towards the end of September and a run of six successive league defeats has seen Alan Devonshire's men drop into the relegation places.
Included in that spell of poor form was a 7-0 defeat at Havant & Waterlooville, with Pompey coach Paul Robinson starting for the hosts.
TEAM NEWS
Pompey will be without Dion Donohue (hamstring) and Joe Mason (groin), although Nathan Thompson is available again following a one-match ban.
The hosts could hand a debut to Alfie Kilgour, who has arrived on loan from Bristol Rovers, but midfielder Christian Smith is suspended.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Kenny Jackett and Ben Close or register for a free iFollow account to watch the below videos.
HEAD TO HEAD
There have been no previous meetings between Pompey and Maidenhead.
TICKETS
All of Pompey’s tickets have been allocated and no more will be available to buy at York Road on the day of the game.
Supporters without a ticket will be able to watch the game live on BT Sport 1, with coverage starting from 12.15pm.
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 12pm on Saturday.
Overseas subscribers should note that there is no live iFollow video coverage of FA Cup games, although audio commentary will be available.
Supporters based overseas should check their local listings to see if the game is being televised in their region.
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 updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story and Snapchat account.
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 by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent.
BETTING
Pompey are the 2/7 favourites with Sky Bet to progress to the second round on Saturday, while the hosts can be backed at 9/1.
Click here to read our full betting guide and visit www.skybet.com/pompey to earn money for the club when you place a bet. Please gamble responsibly.
ALSO IN EMIRATES FA CUP
(3pm kick-off unless stated)
Tonight
Haringey Borough v AFC Wimbledon (7.55pm)
Saturday
Accrington v Colchester
Aldershot v Bradford
Barnsley v Notts County
Bromley v Peterborough
Bury v Dover
Chesterfield v Billericay
Crewe v Carlisle
Ebbsfleet v Cheltenham
Exeter v Blackpool
Gillingham v Hartlepool
Grimsby v MK Dons
Lincoln v Northampton
Luton v Wycombe
Maidstone v Macclesfield
Metropolitan Police v Newport
Morecambe v Halifax
Oxford v Forest Green
Plymouth v Stevenage
Rochdale v Gateshead
Scunthorpe v Burton
Southend v Crawley
Southport v Boreham Wood
Sutton v Slough
Swindon v York
Torquay v Woking
Tranmere v Oxford City
Walsall v Coventry
Yeovil v Stockport
Sunday
Alfreton v Fleetwood (12.45pm)
Barnet v Bristol Rovers (12.45pm)
Chorley v Doncaster (12.45pm)
Guiseley v Cambridge (12.45pm)
Hitchin v Solihull (12.45pm)
Mansfield v Charlton (12.45pm)
Shrewsbury v Salford (12.45pm)
Weston-super-Mare v Wrexham (12.45pm)
Port Vale v Sunderland (2.30pm)
Monday
Hampton & Richmond v Oldham (7.45pm)
LAST TIME OUT