Between them, Pompey and Sunderland can boast eight top-flight titles and four FA Cup triumphs.
So it is fair to say Saturday’s contest between the sides at Fratton Park is one of the biggest in League One.
It is the visitors who are currently enjoying the better start to the 2021/22 campaign and sit at the summit after nine games.
Their opponents, meanwhile, have faltered after a bright opening and are down in 13th spot, aiming to end an eight-match run without a victory.
Six of the Black Cats’ fixtures have taken place on home soil and they have won the lot – including Tuesday night’s 5-0 rout of Cheltenham.
Their only defeat came on the road at Burton back in mid-August, while other away matches saw a draw with Fleetwood and success at MK Dons.
Lee Johnson’s side are also League One’s only representatives in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and will visit QPR later this month for a place in the quarter-finals.
Both of last season’s meetings resulted in away victories, with John Marquis’ brace and a Marcus Harness goal securing a 3-1 triumph for the Blues on Wearside.
TEAM NEWS
Saturday’s game might come too soon for Arsenal loanee Miguel Azeez, who has returned to training following a groin injury.
Skipper Clark Robertson (hip), Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin) are all long-term absentees.
Sunderland will be without Jordan Willis (knee) and Arbenit Xhemajli (knee), while there are doubts over Nathan Broadhead (hamstring), Dennis Cirkin (head), Callum Doyle (back), Lynden Gooch (foot) and Denver Hume (hamstring).
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Reeco Hackett or watch the video below.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 36 wins
Sunderland: 40 wins
35 draws
At Fratton Park
Pompey: 25 wins
Sunderland: 12 wins
18 draws
TICKETS
Fratton Park is full to capacity for Saturday’s game and no more tickets will be made available. Fans are advised to attend early – click here for more details.
Please note that all parking has been pre-booked and there are no more spaces available in the club car park.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Ben Toner
Assistants: Joseph Stokes and Garry Maskell
Fourth Official: Michael Begley
MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Paul Robinson 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 BBC Radio Solent or Express FM.
BETTING
Sunderland are the 7/5 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 19/10.
Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Saturday’s game. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.
ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 3pm
Accrington v Ipswich
AFC Wimbledon v Burton
Bolton v Shrewsbury
Cheltenham v Rotherham
Crewe v Cambridge
Doncaster v MK Dons
Fleetwood v Charlton
Gillingham v Wigan
Lincoln v Plymouth
Sheffield Wednesday v Oxford
Wycombe v Morecambe
CLASSIC CONTEST