Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is aware of the fierce rivalry between Southampton and Portsmouth and insists his men are ready for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash. The clubs may be a couple of divisions apart, with Pompey currently struggling near the foot of League One, but when these two south coast teams square off it is always a feisty affair.
An intense police operation has been put in place to ensure there is no trouble outside the ground and there are sure to be fireworks at Fratton Park for the third-round tie.
The pair have not faced each other for over seven years as Portsmouth tumbled down the divisions but they would love to take the scalp of their Premier League neighbours this week.
Hasenhuttl knows that Saints fans will be desperate to get one over on their rivals but has made it clear that his focus is just on progression to the next round. “I have seen the videos about the history of these games, about the rivalry, I know everything,” he said.
“I can say that every member of this club and team is looking forward to this game because we have a big chance to write the history in our way. “It is not thinking about what we can lose there, it is thinking about what we can win there – we can win a lot there.”
Punters looking to use a free bet might fancy Saints to win the match before they return to Premier League action away at Tottenham on Saturday looking to make amends for the weekend’s 3-1 loss to Bournemouth.
