Portsmouth play Southampton in both the Subway League Cup and WSL 2 this week.
08/10/2025
The first of the 2 fixtures takes place at the Silverlake Stadium, home of Eastleigh FC, on Wednesday (October 8th) evening - 7pm kick-off.
This meeting serves as the Blues' second of 4 Group Stage matches in the Subway League Cup, in which they got off to a losing start against Brighton & Hove Albion on September 24th, where at Westleigh Park, The Seagulls won by 2 goals to nil with both goals coming in the first half.
In the second half of that match, EURO 2025 winner Michelle Agyemang, who's on loan from Arsenal, came off the bench to lead the Brighton forward line.
Last season, Pompey were knocked out of the League Cup at the Group Stage following 3 successive defeats. Jay Sadler will not only be looking to avoid that feat this term but will also be targeting a victory over the club's fierce rivals, Southampton too.
After the meeting in SO50, the 2 sides then go head-to-head at Fratton Park on Sunday (October 12th) in the WSL 2.
Last time out, it was the visitors who were victorious by 5 goals to nil in PO4, where Portsmouth play 4 league matches this season.
Simon Parker leads Southampton and his side go into these 2 games off the back of a 2-1 win away at Birmingham City last time out in the league, whereas Pompey were beaten 4-1 by newly-promoted Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in their previous outing.
Forward Jemima Dahou is back in contention after being absent with illness at the start of the campaign - She returned to the starting XI for that trip to Nottingham last weekend.
Defender Sophie Barker and striker Emma Jones are both out however, though the prognosis for them appears to be short-term.
Following a minor hamstring problem, Angelina Nixon is anticipated to return for 1 of these 2 fixtures while Lucy Johnson, Jazz Younger, Annie Hutchings and Emily Pitman are all ruled out as they manage their respective ACL injuries.
Express FM will be providing full coverage of Sunday's WSL meeting at Fratton Park with the details of that broadcast to be announced soon.
Jake Smith will also have a full preview of that game, as well as reaction to Wednesday's League Cup fixture at Eastleigh when he returns with 2 more Blues voices on Friday's episode of The Football Hour (6-7pm).
You can listen to both of those shows through 93.7 FM, DAB, Online, on the Express FM app or though your smart speaker.
12/10/2025
The first of the double south coast derby fixture week ended in a 1-0 defeat away at the Silverlake Stadium.
The second meeting is just around the corner and this time at Fratton Park in the league.
MANAGER
Simon Parker is at the helm.
A decade ago, Parker worked in the Saints Foundation, focusing on youth inclusion before his journey as a head coach began nearby at Southampton Women’s FC in the FA Women’s National League.
Parker’s first taste of life in the second tier came in 2019 as Assistant Coach with Lewes, he was named Head Coach a year later and earned the club’s highest-ever Championship finish in the 2020/21 campaign.
The 39-year-old headed to Europe, joining Portuguese side SC Uniāo Torreense before returning to England and the second tier, when he was appointed as Blackburn Rovers’ head coach.
After a two-year-spell in charge of Rovers, he made his return to Southampton in July this year.
ONE TO WATCH
Number 7, Ellie Brazil is our one to watch.
She joined Birmingham City at age of 16 before signing for Fiorentina Women’s FC of Serie A. Brazil also played for Brighton and Hove Albion and Tottenham.
In July 2024, she was announced at Charlton on a one-year contract. During her time with The Addicks she won both the club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards. She left due to the expiry of her contract.
Brazil made her debut for Southampton against Ipswich Women, she has also netted once this season.
TOP SCORER
Southampton have scored 11 goals in their opening 5 matches of the campaign with 8 different goalscorers, meaning there are currently 3 top scorers.
Midfielder Atlanta Primus has represented Chelsea, California State University Fullerton and London City Lionesses. Whilst with London City, she made 58 appearances and netted 15 goals. Before switching her national team allegiance, Primus represented England at Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 level. She earned a place in Jamaica’s recent World Cup squad, helping the Reggae Girlz to earn their first-ever point in the competition.
Chloe Peplow started her career at Birmingham City when she was 16. Following a loan spell with WSL 2 side Doncaster Belled in 2017, Peplow also spent time at Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, Reading and Crystal Palace (loan). She initially joined Southampton on loan for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign before signing permanently in July 2023. The midfielder has agreed to extend her stay until 2027.
21-year-old Mary Bashford progressed from the Charlton Athletic academy to the first team, playing a vital role in the midfield, contributing to their 3rd place finish in the Championship last season. After making the move to the South Coast, Bashford made her debut for the club in the recent fixture against Ipswich women when she bagged both her 1st and 2nd goal for the club.
CURRENT FORM
Parker’s side find themselves in 5th with 8 points. Accumulated by their first 5 fixtures ending in 2 victories, 2 draws and 1 defeat.
The last teams these teams met in the league was at St Mary’s when the Blues held out against the hosts for a 0-0 draw back in March.
Can the Blues secure a victory at Fratton Park in the South Coast Derby?
Express FM will provide full build-up, LIVE commentary and post-game reaction from 1:30pm on Sunday (October 12th) afternoon with James Wilson, Kirsty Roxanne and Dan Shaw broadcasting from PO4.
Kick-off: 2pm!
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