Preview: Portsmouth v Leeds United – Team news, how to watch, prediction, lineups
Leeds United will be keen to return to winning ways as they prepare for a trip to face Portsmouth on Sunday.
The Whites are set to travel to Fratton Park on 9 March after falling to a 1-1 draw against West Brom last time out.
This ended a superb winning run for Daniel Farke’s side in the Championship but still sees the German’s men in the driving seat to earn promotion this season.
There is limited time remaining in the second tier campaign and the next stop in a potential journey to the Premier League is to the south coast.
Portsmouth v Leeds United Preview
There is plenty to get excited about from a Leeds perspective regardless of the frustrating draw against Tony Mowbray’s Baggies side.
This hasn’t seen fans get down as the late win against Sheffield United still lives long in the memory of the Elland Road faithful.
Supporters will be hopeful of a return to winning ways against a Pompey side who have endured a positive run of form to take them away from a relegation battle.
| Position | Club | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 15. | Preston North End | 35 | -5 | 43 |
| 16. | Swansea City | 35 | -9 | 41 |
| 17. | Portsmouth | 35 | -14 | 39 |
| 18. | Oxford United | 35 | -16 | 38 |
| 19. | Hull City | 35 | -9 | 36 |
John Mousinho and his side now sit eight points clear of the bottom three and can be confident of earning a place in the Championship for next season.
With that being said, a defeat last time out against bottom side Luton Town did come as a blow and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back against the league leaders.
Championship form guide
Portsmouth: LWWWL
Leeds United: DWWWL
Head-to-head
Leeds United 3-3 Portsmouth (10 August 2024)
Portsmouth 0-0 Leeds United (25 February 2012)
Leeds United 1-0 Portsmouth (1 October 2011)
Portsmouth 2-2 Leeds United (22 January 2011)
Leeds United 3-3 Portsmouth (28 December 2010)
Team news
The Whites aren’t without their injury issues as they travel down south to Fratton Park with Farke potentially set to be without four big names.
This could see defensive duo Max Wober and Ethan Ampadu be absent through injury, with a potential return not appearing close for the pair.
In forward areas, Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph could also miss out with the latter undergoing consistent fitness tests ahead of the clash.
By comparison to Pompey, Farke’s problems are minor as the home outfit look set to be without up to seven first team players against Leeds.
This could see Callum Lang, Conor Shaughnessy, Ibane Bowat, Jacob Farrell, Jordan Williams, Robert Atkinson and Paddy Lane all miss out through injury.
Predicted line-ups
Portsmouth: Schmid, Swanson, Pack, Poole, Ogilvie, Dozzell, Hayden, Gordon, Aouchiche, Murphy, Bishop
Leeds United: Meslier, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo, Gruev, Tanaka, Gnonto, James, Solomon, Piroe
How to watch
The lunchtime clash at Elland Road is set to be shown live on Sky Sports Football at 12:00pm while also being available on NOW TV.
Prediction: Portsmouth 1-3 Leeds United
With all the injury issues that Pompey are dealing with, it would be a shock if they were to take three points off Leeds.
There are many first-team stars missing for Mousinho and as a result, the Whites need to use their strength in depth to take advantage of the home side.
There is plenty of quality in Farke’s side as he can welcome someone like Gnonto into his side with Brenden Aaronson potentially dropping out.
This gives the opportunity for the American to make an impact off the bench alongside the likes of Largie Ramazani to help secure a win on the south coast.