It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
No, forget about Christmas. The start of the new season is what excites football fans up and down the country.
Pompey begin on the road for the first time in five years, making the trip to Shropshire to take on Shrewsbury.
The hosts have had wildly fluctuation fortunes in each of the past two seasons, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion before suffering play-off heartache in 2017/18.
They followed that up by finishing 18th – just two points above the drop zone – last term and only securing survival on the penultimate day.
It means that the Shrews will be competing in League One for a fifth successive campaign, having climbed out of the basement in 2015.
Manager Sam Ricketts took over at New Meadow last December and previously played under Blues boss Kenny Jackett at Swansea and Wolves.
His team completed their pre-season schedule with a home win over Scottish side Dundee United, having earlier lost to Newport and Aston Villa, and drawn with Cheltenham.
Goals from Ben Close and Brett Pitman secured a 2-0 win for Pompey in last season’s corresponding fixture, with the sides earlier playing out a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.
TEAM NEWS
Bryn Morris (groin), Sean Raggett (elbow) and Ryan Williams (quad) are all suffering from short-term injuries, with Jack Whatmough (knee) still sidelined.
Veteran striker Steve Morison is one of several summer signings who could make his debut for Shrewsbury.
Lenell John-Lewis, Ollie Norburn and Ryan Sears all miss out for the hosts with knee problems, while Anthony Grant is training with the youth team for ‘in-house reasons’.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Kenny Jackett and Lee Brown or register for a free iFollow account to watch the below videos.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 13 wins
Shrewsbury: 9 wins
3 draws
At Shrewsbury
Pompey: 3 wins
Shrewsbury: 7 wins
2 draws
TICKETS
Pompey have sold their full allocation of tickets for this fixture and no more will be available to buy on the day of the game.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Assistants: Paul Hobday and Oliver Mackey
Fourth Official: Kevin Morris
MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andy Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from 2pm on Saturday.
Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch the action and commentary will begin from around 10 minutes before kick-off.
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.
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 evens favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 13/5.
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 LEAGUE ONE
All matches kick-off at 3pm
AFC Wimbledon v Rotherham
Blackpool v Bristol Rovers
Burton v Ipswich
Coventry v Southend
Doncaster v Gillingham
Lincoln v Accrington
Peterborough v Fleetwood
Sunderland v Oxford
Tranmere v Rochdale
Wycombe v Bolton
LAST MEETING