Portsmouth vs Derby County: Both sides seek response under the lights at Fratton Park

Portsmouth welcome Derby County to Fratton Park on Tuesday night with both sides looking for a response after disappointing Championship defeats at the weekend.

Pompey have taken three points from their opening three league matches. John Mousinho’s side lost 3-1 at home to Queens Park Rangers before responding impressively with a 3-1 victory away to Lincoln City, but their momentum was checked on Saturday by a 2-1 defeat at Bristol City.

Marezi’s stoppage-time penalty reduced the deficit at Ashton Gate, although it arrived too late to rescue a point. Portsmouth will now look to make better use of home advantage after losing their only Championship fixture at Fratton Park so far.

Derby have endured an even more difficult start.

John Eustace’s side have collected only one point from three matches, losing 2-1 at Charlton Athletic, drawing 2-2 with Cardiff City and then suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Swansea City on Saturday.

Eustace admitted Derby are still trying to bring several players up to full match fitness and will be without Lewis Travis at Portsmouth after the midfielder suffered an injury that requires a scan.

There could, however, be an opportunity for Henrik Meister to make his Derby debut. Eustace said the forward looked sharp in his first training session and could be given minutes at Fratton Park.

The fixture also offers an immediate reunion for Ebou Adams, who joined Portsmouth from Derby in January after serving as Rams captain and winning the club’s Player of the Season award.

With Portsmouth on three points and Derby on one, neither side will want to enter the next stage of the season carrying another defeat.

Pompey have already shown they can produce an authoritative away performance at Lincoln.

Derby are still searching for the performance that can properly start their campaign.

Under the lights at Fratton Park, both have an early opportunity to change the direction of their season.