This Week's Opposition: Southampton

Kirsty takes a closer look at Pompey's South Coast rivals ahead of Sunday's big match at Fratton Park.

The South Coast Derby is back and for the first time since December 2011 in the league it takes place at Fratton Park.

MANAGER

Tonda Eckert is in the dugout for Southampton.

Eckert previously coached Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig at Academy level. He also spent time as first team coach at Barnsley in the 2020/21 Championship season, and was most recently Assistant First Team coach at Serie A side Genoa CFC.

He initially joined the club as Under-21s head coach in July 2025, before taking over as interim manager in November after the departure of Will Still. In this period Eckert led the team to 4 wins out of a possible 5.

Leading him to be appointed Southampton’s first team head coach on a permanent basis in December 2025.

ONE TO WATCH

Finn Azaz is our one to watch this weekend.

Climbing through the leagues, he won the League Two title with Cheltenham Town in 2020/21 and picked up the division’s ‘Young Player of the Season’ award whilst with Newport County.

The Republic of Ireland international helped Plymouth Argyle to win the League One title in 2022/23 before returning to The Pilgrims the following season in the second tier.

The number 10 joined Southampton after registering 46 goal contributions in 93 appearances in the Championship for both Middlesbrough and Plymouth. 

Azaz arrived on a 4-year deal and in 26 matches, he has scored 7 and claimed 4 assists.

TOP SCORER

Adam Armstrong is the leading scorer for Southampton and the second in the league with 11 goals and 4 assists.

The 28-year-old came through the ranks of his hometown club, Newcastle United and enjoyed successful EFL loans at Coventry City and Barnsley.

He joined Southampton from Blackburn Rovers in 2021 and wears the number 9 shirt.

CURRENT FORM

Before their 1-0 victory over Sheffield United on Wednesday, Tonda Eckert’s side were winless in the league since the 9th of December. However with those 3 points collected in midweek they have moved to 15th in the table with 36 points.

In the reverse fixture at St Mary’s the game ended goalless.

Can the Blues claim victory over their bitter rivals on home soil?

Tune in to Pompey Live on Express FM from 11am on Sunday (January 25th) morning for all of the pre-match build-up, half-time analysis and post-game reaction with Jake Smith, Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson.

Kick-off: 12pm!