Portsmouth vs Derby County: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 1 September 2026

Portsmouth vs Derby County prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Derby County.

Match Details

• Fixture: Portsmouth vs Derby County
• Competition: Championship
• Date: Tuesday, 1 September 2026
• Venue: Fratton Park
• Prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Derby County

Match Preview

Portsmouth return to Fratton Park with defensive repair work at the top of John Mousinho’s agenda. Pompey have conceded 11 goals across four competitive matches and have won only once.

Their sole victory came at newly promoted Lincoln, but defeats to West Ham, QPR and Bristol City have exposed how often games become too open. Marko Milovanovic’s late penalty at Bristol City provided a positive personal moment without changing the result.

Derby arrive in even greater need of a lift. John Eustace’s side have collected one Championship point from three matches and were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Swansea after failing to register a shot on target.

However, the matchup itself gives Derby encouragement. Portsmouth have not beaten them in a league game since 2008, and the Rams have avoided defeat in 12 successive league meetings.

Portsmouth Analysis

Portsmouth’s attacking problem is secondary to their defensive one. They have shown they can score, but their structure has broken too easily once possession is lost. Pack and Adams may be asked to give the back four greater protection, while Segecic and Kamara must offer enough creativity to ensure the home side do not become too cautious. Milovanovic’s physical presence can give Pompey a focal point in the box.

Derby County Analysis

Derby need to rediscover basic attacking fluency after producing no shots on target at Swansea. Szmodics remains the player most likely to manufacture something between the lines, while Brewster will require quicker support than he received last time out. With Morris absent, Eustace has fewer options to change the profile of his attack.

Head-to-Head

Derby have dominated the recent league series, going 12 league meetings unbeaten against Portsmouth. They also won 1-0 at Fratton Park in March, reinforcing the sense that this venue has held few fears for the Rams.

Form and Recent Context

Portsmouth have lost three of four competitive fixtures, while Derby remain without a win in four competitive games. Neither side enters with convincing momentum.

Tactical Battle

The game may be shaped by caution. Portsmouth cannot afford another loose defensive performance, while Derby are unlikely to want an end-to-end contest after being opened up by Swansea. Expect both midfields to prioritise compactness, with Portsmouth looking wide for Kamara and Derby trying to release Blackett-Taylor into space.

Team News

Portsmouth

Portsmouth remain without Josef Bursik, Conor Ogilvie, Mark Kosznovszky, Keshi Anderson, Franco Umeh and Thomas Waddingham. Josh Murphy is set to miss a second straight match, while Ebou Adams and Marko Milovanovic are candidates to come into the side.

Derby County

Derby cannot call on Patrick Agyemang, Derry Murkin or former Portsmouth defender Matt Clarke. Carlton Morris is expected to miss at least two weeks, while Lewis Travis will be assessed after picking up a knock against Swansea.

Predicted Lineups

Portsmouth: Schmid; Devlin, Arthur, Shaughnessy, Swanson; Adams, Pack; Kamara, Segecic, Kavuma-McQueen; Milovanovic.

Derby County: Widell Zetterstrom; Ward, Langas, Sanderson, Taylor; Mowatt, Travis; Clark, Szmodics, Blackett-Taylor; Brewster.

Betting Tips

Full-time result: Draw.

Double chance: Derby County or Draw.

Both teams to score: Yes.

Over/Under: Under 3.5 goals.

Correct score: Portsmouth 1-1 Derby County.

No bookmaker odds are attached because none were supplied.

Score Prediction

Portsmouth 1-1 Derby County.

Hot Stat

Derby are unbeaten in 12 consecutive league meetings with Portsmouth.

Final Analysis

There are enough flaws on both sides to make a decisive prediction uncomfortable. Portsmouth should improve at home, but Derby’s long unbeaten run in this fixture and their need for a reaction point towards another tight contest. A 1-1 draw fits both the tactical context and the early-season uncertainty.