A Christmas repeat will go down a treat at PO4

IT WAS a pre-Christmas meeting that had all the makings of a festive cracker.

Both Pompey and Sunderland were well fancied to enjoy a Championship return at the beginning of last season.

And when they met at Fratton Park on December 22, 2018, they were well poised in the table.

Pompey prevailed 3-1 that day, giving the Fratton faithful an early Christmas present. And they’ll be wanting a similar pre-festive gift when Ipswich Town travel to the south coast today (3pm).

The past 16 league fixtures between the two sides were in English football’s second tier. That’s a level both clubs have spent most of their history and where fans believe they should be.

Ipswich finished bottom of the Championship last term and fell into the third tier for the first time since 1957.

Like Sunderland, they were among the favourites to enjoy an immediate return.

And Paul Lambert’s side justified that billing by going 11 league games unbeaten at the start of the season.

But while remaining second in the table, they have hit the rocks in recent weeks, winning just one in 10 matches in all competitions.

Unfortunately, Pompey aren’t trailing a blaze like 12 months ago. It’s been a stopstart campaign, but the Blues remain in the play-off hunt.

What’s needed against Ipswich is an awe-inspiring performance in front of the Fratton faithful – just like that one against Sunderland.

And this time, Pompey can’t afford another new year hangover that ultimately cost them promotion last term.

– WILL ROONEY