The preparations are complete and the waiting is almost over.
At 3pm on Saturday, Pompey will begin a competitive fixture in front of supporters for the first time in almost eight months.
Blues fans quickly snapped up their full allocation of fixtures for the League One clash with Fleetwood at Highbury Stadium.
Their opponents finished 15th in the third tier last term and dismissed manager Joey Barton midway through the season.
Simon Grayson replaced him in the hotseat and has made 11 signings so far this summer, most recently capturing former Leicester centre-back Darnell Johnson.
The Cod Army had claimed the final third tier play-off berth at the end of the previous, interrupted, campaign.
Like Pompey, however, they suffered semi-final disappointment, with a 6-3 defeat to a Wycombe outfit who went on to secure promotion.
But Fleetwood have still enjoyed an incredible rise in recent years and were competing at the ninth level of English football as recently as 2005.
The Blues have won four of their previous six visits to Highbury, with John Marquis’ finish enough to secure three points last season.
TEAM NEWS
Paul Downing has returned to training following a hamstring injury and is not far away from being available for selection.
Ellis Harrison and Haji Mnoga could feature against Fleetwood after missing last week’s friendly against Peterborough.
Jayden Reid (knee) is a long-term absentee for the Blues, while fellow summer signing Liam Vincent (shin) is also sidelined.
Gavin Bazunu, Clark Robertson, Connor Ogilvie, Shaun Williams, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Gassan Ahadme and George Hirst will all be hoping to make their competitive debut for the club.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Connor Ogilvie ahead of Saturday’s match or watch the video below.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 6 wins
Fleetwood: 3 wins
2 draws
At Highbury Stadium
Pompey: 4 wins
Fleetwood: 2 wins
0 draws
TICKETS
Pompey have sold their full allocation of tickets for the game. Please do not travel if you have not got a ticket.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Benjamin Speedie
Assistants: Bradley Hall and Chris Isherwood
Fourth Official: Billy Smallwood
MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andy Moon and Glen Little by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2.45pm 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 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 7/5 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 2/1.
Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Saturday’s game. Please gamble responsibly.
ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
Games kick-off at 3pm unless stated
Bolton v MK Dons
Cambridge v Oxford
Crewe v Cheltenham
Doncaster v AFC Wimbledon
Gillingham v Lincoln
Ipswich v Morecambe
Rotherham v Plymouth
Shrewsbury v Burton
Sunderland v Wigan
Wycombe v Accrington
Charlton v Sheffield Wednesday (5.30pm)
LAST MEETING