Pompey’s longest trip of the season is, at least on paper, one of their most difficult.
Danny Cowley’s men make the mammoth trip up to the north-east to take on Sunderland on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Their opponents are sitting third in the League One standings, with only goal difference currently keeping them out of the automatic promotion spots.
But they will be keen to see a return to winning ways, with the past three fixtures yielding just a couple of points.
The most recent outing for the Black Cats came last weekend, when they were held to a 1-1 draw at 10-man Accrington.
It is the fourth successive season that the Wearsider are competing at this level after suffering successive drops from the Premier League and Championship.
They finished fourth to reach the play-offs last term, only to then be beaten 3-2 over two legs by Lincoln.
The one consolation was a trip to Wembley – albeit an empty one – to beat Tranmere and lift the Papa John’s Trophy.
John Marquis’ brace and a Marcus Harness goal sealed a 3-1 victory when Pompey visited the Stadium of Light last season.
Lee Johnson’s men were also beaten at Fratton Park back in October, crumbling to a 4-0 defeat in sodden conditions.
TEAM NEWS
Pompey will check on the fitness of Reeco Hackett, who missed Tuesday’s trip to AFC Wimbledon with a foot injury.
But there are no new injury concerns, with Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin) the only definite absentees.
Sunderland are missing Aiden McGeady (knee) and Luke O’Nien (shoulder), while Corry Evans, Alex Pritchard and Bailey Wright are all hoping to be passed fit.
The home side could hand debuts to Danny Batth and Patrick Roberts, who signed from Stoke and Manchester City respectively this week.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Louis Thompson ahead of the game.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 37 wins
Sunderland: 40 wins
35 draws
On the road
Pompey: 10 wins
Sunderland: 28 wins
17 draws
TICKETS
Pompey fans will not be able to pay on the day at the Stadium of Light, so please do not travel if you do not have a ticket.
Covid certification will need to be shown by anyone aged 18 or over. Click here for more details.
Please note that the Stadium of Light is a cashless stadium, with only contactless payment allowed inside the ground.
OFFICIALS
Referee: David Rock
Assistants: Hristo Karaivanov and Chris Isherwood
Fourth Official: Robert Madley
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 around 2pm on Saturday.
Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary.
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 77/100 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 3/1.
Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for this evening’s game. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.
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That is why VBET has partnered with BettorMind, to provide responsible gambling advice around key betting behaviours.
When it comes to betting, we advise all fans to make use of our dedicated responsible gambling site.
ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 3pm
Burton v AFC Wimbledon
Cambridge v Crewe
Charlton v Fleetwood
Ipswich v Accrington
MK Dons v Doncaster
Morecambe v Wycombe
Oxford v Sheffield Wednesday
Plymouth v Lincoln
Rotherham v Cheltenham
Shrewsbury v Bolton
Wigan v Gillingham
LAST SEASON