West Bromwich Albion will be hoping to make it three successive wins at the start of the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship season when Portsmouth come to town on Saturday afternoon (ko 3pm).
Ryan Mason's men have beaten Blackburn Rovers at home and Wrexham away so far and are one of just three teams in the second tier with a 100 per cent record after two fixtures.
Visitors Portsmouth sit on three points from their two encounters. Pompey triumphed 1-0 at Oxford United on matchday one, but were beaten 2-1 at home by Norwich City last weekend.
Albion won both matches against Saturday's guests last season, claiming a 3-0 victory away from home in September 2024 before going on to win 5-1 at home in January 2025.
Follow the action LIVE
Supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's clash with Portsmouth.
Audio passes are available to purchase here.
WBA Radio & WBA TV duo Gez Mulholland and Andy Johnson will provide live commentary from The Hawthorns, with coverage starting at 2.50pm.
Details for video streaming on WBA TV will be available here from Friday morning.
Supporters are kindly asked to direct any questions or complaints about WBA TV or WBA Radio to wbatvsupport@streamamg.com.
The club are unable to answer queries about WBA TV or WBA Radio sent to fans@wbafc.co.uk, myalbion@wbafc.co.uk or enquiries@wbafc.co.uk.
Regular updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the day.
The opposition
Portsmouth will have their sights set on improving on their 16th-placed finish in the second tier last term in what will be their second season in the division.
Pompey, promoted as Sky Bet League One champions in 2023/24, ended the previous campaign five points clear of the drop, largely thanks to a brilliant home record.
They were the eighth-best performing home team in the Championship in 2024/25, but only relegated Plymouth Argyle picked up fewer points on their travels - something Saturday's visitors will desperately want to change this time around.
So far this year, Portsmouth have won at Oxford United and lost at home to Norwich City in the league, while also slipping to a narrow defeat at Fratton Park to Reading in the Carabao Cup.
Boss John Mousinho, appointed in January 2023, is the third-longest serving gaffer in the Championship. This weekend's encounter at The Hawthorns will be his 128th in charge of Portsmouth, with the 39-year-old winning 56, drawing 36 and losing 35 of those 127 matches.
Mousinho had a lengthy playing career and represented Brentford, Wycombe Wanderers, Preston North End, Burton Albion and Oxford United among others. He and Alex Mowatt were team-mates at Oxford when the Albion midfielder was there on loan during the 2017/18 season.
Memorable meeting
Sunday, May 15 2005 will be a date forever etched into the history of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.
The Baggies started the final day of the 2004/05 Premiership campaign bottom of the division, needing a win and three miracles elsewhere to remain in the top-flight.
Second-half strikes from Geoff Horsfield and Kieran Richardson meant the Albion got the result they needed, but they were still banking on other teams to do them a favour.
Incredibly, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Norwich City all failed to secure maximum points, leading to the greatest escape in Premier League history.
Supporters can watch the highlights from that legendary day below.
Recent record on home soil against Pompey
Albion 5-1 Portsmouth, January 2025
The Baggies put on a five-star showing at The Hawthorns against Portsmouth last season. Alex Mowatt's long-range strike was quickly followed up by a Grady Diangana brace and a Jed Wallace finish before the break. John Swift's fierce effort from the edge of the box extended Albion's advantage 11 minutes into the second period. Thomas Waddingham pulled one back late on for the away side, but it took little away from a dominant display from Tony Mowbray's men that day. Check out the highlights below.
Albion 1-1 Portsmouth, December 2008
The two teams played out a 1-1 Premier League draw a couple of weeks before Christmas in 2008. Jonathan Greening was first to react after Chris Brunt's free-kick had crashed back off the bar, with the midfielder guiding the ball into an empty net from just outside the six-yard box. Peter Crouch's effort from distance rescued a point for the visitors in the second period.
Albion 2-1 Portsmouth, August 2005
Just a few months on from the famous 'Great Escape' clash with Portsmouth, Albion recorded another Premier League triumph over this weekend's guests. Geoff Horsfield scored as early as the second minute and added a second shortly after the break. Laurent Robert made it 2-1 moments later, but the Baggies hung on to claim three points.
How's that for a stat
West Bromwich Albion will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run at home against Portsmouth to nine matches this weekend. The Baggies have won six and drawn two of their previous eight meetings with the men from the south coast in the West Midlands. Pompey's last victory at The Hawthorns was a 3-0 triumph in Division One in February 1998.
Albion have scored 22 goals in their last eight home games when facing Portsmouth. Saturday's hosts also scored eight times in two matches last season against them.
The last time Albion won their opening three league games of a campaign was back in 1997/98 when they secured victories over Tranmere Rovers (2-1), Crewe Alexandra (3-2) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (1-0).
Albion have won three straight league matches. The Baggies haven't won four league games in-a-row since recording four consecutive victories between August and September in 2024.
Portsmouth had the second worst away record in the Sky Bet Championship in 2024/25, but have taken seven points from the last nine on offer on their travels. They won 5-3 at Norwich and drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday in their final two matches on the road last season, and won 1-0 at Oxford United on the first day of the new term.
Saturday's game will be the second time Albion and Portsmouth have met this season. The two teams were on the same flight to Austria in July for respective pre-season training camps.
Ticket information
Tickets are on general sale for Albion’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Portsmouth.
Prices start from £32 adults, £27 seniors (65+), £20 20-25s, £15 under-20s, £10 under-17s and £7 under-14s.
Adult disabled supporter tickets are available from £22.
Secure your seat online, in person via the East Stand Ticket Office, or by calling 0121 227 2227.
Please note, tickets will be delivered via the ‘WBA Tickets On The Go’ app.
The app is available to download on smart devices from the Apple Store here and the Google Play Store here.
Baggies fans unable to use a smart phone to enter the stadium will need to contact the Ticket Office.
When buying online, supporters will need to be logged into their My Albion account linked to their ticketing ID. Click here for instructions.
Hospitality
Various hospitality options remain available for the game with Portsmouth.
Fans can explore below - and make a booking by clicking here, calling the team on 0121 524 3455, or by emailing hospitality@wbafc.co.uk.
For the supporters
Albion are excited to welcome supporters back to The Hawthorns for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Portsmouth (ko 3pm).
There are plenty of activities to enjoy both before and after the contest.
The Fan Zone will open from midday until 2.45pm. Supporters of both clubs with a valid match ticket are welcome to attend for free.
A wide range of entertainment will be on offer in the Fan Zone including opportunities to grab the perfect selfie with mascots Baggie Bird and Boiler Man, face painters on site, fun inflatable challenges put on by the Albion Foundation and the chance to play a whole host of video games at the gaming van.
There’s live football on the big screen too. Charlton Athletic take on Leicester City at The Valley in the second tier, with that particular encounter starting at 12.30pm.
Call Me Unique will be providing the live music this weekend, working their way through a set list.
Fans can take advantage of plenty of food and drink options and purchase Baggies merchandise – including all three 2025/26 replica kits - at the retail wardrobe.
A sunny Saturday in the summer at the Shrine? Fear not. Cool yourself down with a sweet treat from the ice cream van!
The club shop will be open from 9am until kick-off, before reopening after the final whistle for a further 30 minutes.
After full-time, supporters with a valid match ticket from all stands are invited to visit the post-match bar which is situated in the middle of the East Stand and can be accessed via gate 12. New TVs and lightning have been installed, while benches and tables will be in place.
Live football will be shown on the screens – the Premier League encounter between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium (ko 5.30pm).
Feeling peckish after 90 minutes of cheering on Ryan Mason's men? Discounted food will be available while stocks last.
The post-match bar will open immediately following the final whistle and will remain open until the conclusion of the 5.30pm game. It will be open for all weekend lunchtime or afternoon kick-offs, but will not operate after night games.
Enjoy your day and come on you Baggies!
