The wait is over – the South Coast Derby is back at St Mary’s Stadium for the first time in thirteen years, and promises to be as fierce a clash as ever.
Many typical football rivalries are built upon geographical proximity, but this game holds a great deal more history and significance for the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth.
For the first time in the league since 2012, two fierce rivals meet again on Sunday, 14th September.
A Historic Rivalry
The roots of this derby game go way beyond football. Despite being just 20 miles apart, Southampton and Portsmouth have completely contrasting identities.
Portsmouth grew as a naval and shipbuilding city, strongly tied to the Royal Navy, whereas Southampton became a commercial port city, focusing on trade and passenger liners.
This working difference bred local pride, and with no other big clubs nearby, all the passion naturally turned inward.
The hostility deepened in the 1970s and 80s when both sides played in the top two divisions more regularly. Portsmouth fans often portrayed Saints as “soft” or “posh,” while Southampton fans mocked Pompey as rough and working-class. These stereotypes fuelled the atmosphere around games.
Each game invites trouble, with an increasing police presence for every match. Hampshire Police have set aside a figure of £125,000 to warden each of the fierce rivals’ two meetings in the 2025-26 season.
According to Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, this figure represents more than ten times the usual cost of policing Championship fixtures in Hampshire.
Unlike rivalries like Liverpool v Everton or Arsenal v Spurs, which are played every season, the South Coast Derby is rare.
That rarity makes each meeting feel like an event – about local pride, history, and identity, with neither city willing to give an inch to their neighbours.
Last Time Out
The last South Coast Derby took place in September 2019, when Southampton travelled to Fratton Park in the League Cup and ran out emphatic 4–0 winners.
Despite a couple of early Portsmouth chances, Danny Ings struck twice in the first half to put Saints in control, before late goals from Cédric Soares and Nathan Redmond sealed a dominant victory in front of an infuriated Portsmouth crowd.
This still remains the most recent clash, a result that gave Southampton fans bragging rights to this day and only left Portsmouth fans with a yearning for redemption.
Head To Head
Throughout history, Southampton and Portsmouth have faced each other a total of 71 times.
Southampton have come out victorious on 35 of these occasions, boasting an impressive 49.2% win rate.
The other ties result in 15 draws and 21 Portsmouth wins.
Ones To Watch
Tom Fellows – Southampton
New statement signing Tom Fellows will look to make a big first impression on his debut, which is certainly a big game to introduce yourself to a new fanbase in!
The tricky winger picked up 14 assists in last season’s Championship, and could be thrown straight in the deep end by Saints boss Will Still, who has been looking for someone to suit his preferred 4-back system.
Fellows spoke on the derby game after joining Southampton: “I understand how big derbies are. It’s a new one for me to play in. I understand it’s a massive match, so I’m looking forward to that and the atmosphere, and hopefully we can beat them.”
Conor Chaplin – Portsmouth
Conor Chaplin has always received an icy reception from Southampton supporters, being a Portsmouth lad himself, making over 100 appearances in his first stint for his boyhood club.
Now, he’ll make his return at St Mary’s after returning to Portsmouth on a loan deal on deadline day.
A key figure in the Ipswich side that went up two years in a row, Chaplin is an excellent signing for Mousinho’s squad, and a player who would love to get one over Southampton.
Tactical Battle
Southampton boss Will Still wants a direct, high-tempo style of play from his Southampton side. While claiming he hasn’t had the players to organise the right 4-back system, the last week of the transfer window brought suitable reinforcements to do this.
It will be interesting to see if Still immediately reverts to the back four or sticks with the 3-4-3 that has been deployed for the first few weeks of the season.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho will have his Portsmouth side set up well, sitting defensively solid, then launching counter attacks with the dynamic choice of attackers he has at his disposal. While Southampton are in the top five sides in the league for chances created, Pompey are in the bottom five, highlighting the main differences between the two outfits.
Despite this, Portsmouth currently sit above the Saints in the league table, but this could all change on Sunday…
Prediction
This looks set to be a fierce game with a hostile, deafening atmosphere to match, but both young managers will have their heads screwed on tightly.
It’ll be a close game at St Mary’s, where pivotal moments could make Southampton or Portsmouth players heroes at their respective clubs forever.
Southampton’s quality and new additions should see them through, though, in a game where both sides will be desperate not to concede that first goal.
Writer’s Prediction: Southampton 1-0 Portsmouth
As the South Coast Derby approaches, the history, pride, and rivalry are set to collide once again. Whether it’s the bragging rights, the memories of past clashes, or the rare chance to face your nearest rivals, this fixture always delivers drama. Whoever comes out on top, one thing is certain: the passion, tension, and intensity of this derby will be special.
