Leeds United will kick off their Championship campaign when they welcome newly-promoted Portsmouth to Elland Road on Saturday.
The hosts are competing in the Championship for a second straight season, while Pompey are set to make their first appearance in the second tier since 2012.
Match preview
© Reuters
Leeds are preparing for another Championship campaign after they failed to secure an immediate return to the Premier League last season.
After finishing in third position, Daniel Farke's side went on to beat Norwich City in the playoff semi-finals before their promotion dreams were shattered by a final defeat to Southampton.
Since losing at Wembley, Leeds have seen several players head through the exit door, including Archie Gray, Glen Kamara and most recently Crysencio Summerville.
However, they have made four additions of their own, recruiting Joe Rothwell, Alex Cairns, Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon, with the latter joining on a permanent deal after spending last season on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
The Yorkshire club recently wrapped up their pre-season schedule with a 2-1 win over Valencia at Elland Road, ensuring that they will be in confident mood ahead of their first meeting with Portsmouth since February 2012.
Leeds were one of the standout performers on home turf last season after they won 16, drew five and lost just two of their 23 league matches at Elland Road to finish the campaign with the second-best home record in the division.
Meanwhile, Portsmouth are set to compete in the Championship for the first time in 12 years after they proved to be a cut above the rest in League One last term.
The South-coast side won 28, drew 13 and lost five of their 46 matches to finish as League One champions with 97 points to their name.
Ahead of his first Championship campaign as manager, John Mousinho has bolstered his squad with the additions of Jordan Williams, Josh Murphy, Jacob Farrell, Sam Silvera, Jordan Archer, Elias Sorensen and Andre Dozzell.
Pompey have also announced the return of academy product Matt Ritchie, who signed a two-year contract following his departure from Newcastle United earlier this summer.
Richie and Dozzell were signed after Pompey completed their pre-season schedule with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
Pompey will head back on the road for their Championship opener, with the visitors looking to claim their first away win over Leeds since Yakubu and Lomana Lua Lua scored in a 2-1 win in the Premier League in April 2004.
Team News
![Portsmouth manager John Mousinho pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/john-mousinho.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Portsmouth manager John Mousinho pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Farke has revealed that he has a full squad available for the Championship opener after he confirmed that Bogle was fit despite being forced off with a dead leg in the recent friendly against Valencia.
Bogle is in line to make his competitive Leeds debut, with the right-back set to feature in the back four alongside Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo.
Spain Under-21 international Mateo Joseph is likely to be given the responsibility of leading the line, with Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford set to provide alternative options from the bench.
As for Pompey, they are without the injured duo of Tom McIntyre and Farrell, while Regan Poole is still working on his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The visitors are also without last season's top scorer Colby Bishop, who has undergone heart surgery after a routine pre-season heart scan showed a potential risk.
Murphy sustained an ankle issue in Pompey's final friendly against Charlton, and the summer signing is now a doubt for Saturday's trip to Elland Road.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Gruev; James, Rutter, Gnonto; Joseph
Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Norris; Swanson, Shaughnessy, Towler, Ogilvie; Pack, Dozzell; Silvera, Richie, Lane; Yengi
We say: Leeds United 2-0 Portsmouth
Pompey may have stormed to the League One title last term, but the Championship represents a significant step up, and we think that they could be given a reality check in their opening game against promotion hopefuls Leeds.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Sully
![Portsmouth manager John Mousinho pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Portsmouth manager John Mousinho pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]")
