Sunderland contend with a second match on home soil in four days this Saturday afternoon as Portsmouth make the long trip to Wearside.
The Lads remain the only unbeaten side in Sky Bet League One this season and head into the fixture on the back of consecutive victories against Swindon Town and Crewe Alexandra in the past week, having still not conceded from open play in the league.
Portsmouth currently sit eighth in the table having beaten Gillingham 2-0 on the road in midweek, navigating through an indifferent start to 2020-21.
The weekend will bring no less than the 110th meeting between the two clubs, with the Black Cats boasting 39 victories in this fixture to Pompey’s 35. Sunderland are unbeaten in our last four Stadium of Light encounters with Portsmouth, who did win the last meeting 2-0 at Fratton Park.
Team News
Phil Parkinson has confirmed Tom Flanagan is fully fit after a quicker return to action than expected from the bench on Tuesday night.
Jordan Willis is nearing full fitness after the foot injury which forced him off at Swindon Town last weekend, while Dion Sanderson is in the process of gaining match fitness ahead of his imminent debut.
Elliot Embleton has returned to full training but remains ruled out for the Portsmouth clash – the midfielder is in line to regain match fitness with the Under-23s next week.
For a full team news update from the manager, click here.
Opposition
Despite a sluggish start to the campaign, Portsmouth have begun to pick up pace in this year’s League One challenge. Victories over Burton Albion, MK Dons and Gillingham have fired the south coast side up the table this month, despite a home defeat to Doncaster Rovers last weekend.
Pompey’s last two seasons in the third tier have seen the club secure a play-off place – however the Lads were the first of two sides to eliminate them in the semi-finals, before Oxford United last term. They will now be seeking a return to Championship football for the first time since 2012.
Wigan’s Michael Jacobs and Norwich’s Sean Raggett are among Jackett’s summer recruits – the latter making a loan move permanent. Loans for Cameron Pring and Rasmus Nicolaisen, as well as a deal for Accrington’s Callum Johnson complete the first-team signings.
How to watch
To purchase a streaming pass for our clash with Portsmouth on Saturday, click here and follow the instructions.
There will also be extended match coverage on safc.com, as well as through the club’s social media platforms on Twitter @SunderlandAFC, and Instagram @sunderlandafcofficial.