Woking and Portsmouth Set for Pre-Season Friendly Clash

Championship side Portsmouth will kick off their pre-season schedule with an away friendly against National League club Woking on Tuesday. This encounter marks an early test for both teams as they prepare for their respective league campaigns.

For Woking, the match offers a chance to see Jermain Defoe’s early work in senior management. The former England striker took over in late March and guided the team to a respectable finish of 10th in the National League last season. With a focus on reaching the EFL for the first time in their history, Woking have been active in the transfer market, signing seven new players, including several attacking options. Their pre-season preparations began with a narrow 2-1 victory over Sholing.

Portsmouth, managed by John Mousinho, are gearing up for their third consecutive season in the Championship. After securing survival in the 2025-26 campaign, the club aims to climb the table. Portsmouth have already added midfielder Odin Bailey and forward Eion Kenny to their squad and are reportedly looking to make further reinforcements. Their pre-season journey started with a training camp in Ireland, and this Woking fixture is the first of several friendlies, including games against Aldershot Town, Bristol Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, and Farnborough, before a trip to Germany to face Darmstadt 98. The club will eventually face West Ham United in an EFL Cup tie.

Team News and Lineups

Woking’s lineup for this early pre-season friendly remains somewhat unpredictable, especially after the inclusion of several trialists in their recent match. However, based on the current first-team squad, a back four of Zico Asare, Timi Odusina, Chinwike Okoli, and Caleb Richards appears likely. Sean Adarkwa, a free transfer from Wealdstone, could be given the opportunity to lead the line.

Portsmouth will be without left-back Conor Ogilvie, who is recovering from knee surgery and is expected to miss the start of the Championship season. Manager John Mousinho faces a decision on how to manage his squad across consecutive friendlies, possibly by giving players 45-minute run-outs. New signings Bailey and Kenny might feature, though not necessarily in the starting XI.

Woking possible starting lineup:
Jaaskelainen; Asare, Odiusina, Okoli, Richards; Sohna, Syle; Clarke, Kelly, Dryer; Adarkwa

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Schmid; Devlin, Poole, Shaughnessy, Bowat; Pack, Adams; Segecic, Swift, Murphy; Bishop

Match Prediction

The primary objective for both managers in this friendly will be to build match fitness and test tactical approaches. However, Portsmouth, with their stronger squad, will be looking to build confidence and secure a victory. It is anticipated that the Championship outfit will emerge as comfortable winners in this encounter.

Key facts
| Team | League | Manager | Recent Form |
|—|—|—|—|
| Woking | National League | Jermain Defoe | W (vs Sholing) |
| Portsmouth | Championship | John Mousinho | N/A (Pre-season start) |

The significance of this friendly for FootballGames10 readers lies in its insight into the early stages of pre-season preparation for a Championship side and a National League team aiming for promotion. It offers a glimpse into potential new signings and tactical developments ahead of the upcoming football season.

Source: Sports Mole Football RSS (https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/woking/preview/woking-vs-portsmouth-prediction-team-news-lineups_601116.html)

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