It's Shrewsbury revisited as Portsmouth kick off League One against familiar opposition

It’s a reverse of the opening fixture of last season, when Kenny Jackett’s men went to Greenhaus Meadow and lost 1-0.

On this occasion, the Blues will host Shrewsbury at Fratton Park for the League One curtain raiser, which takes place on Saturday, September 12.

Of course, no fans will be allowed into Fratton Park at that stage of the campaign, a situation which is pencilled in to change on October 1.

It means they will be absent from that Shewsbury encounter as well as the arrival of newly-relegated Wigan (September 26).

Former boss Paul Cook is no longer at the Latics’ helm, although ex-Blues favourites Jamal Lowe, Kal Naismith and Gary Roberts are presently on their books.

Pompey’s first away match is a trip to Rochdale on September 19.

Although four of the opening six league fixtures take place at Fratton Park, consisting of Shrewsbury, Wigan, MK Dons (October 10) and Doncaster (October 17).

During that period, they will travel to Rochdale and Burton (October 3).

Elsewhere, Pompey are at home to Swindon on Boxing Day, although their first match of 2021 is a lengthy trip to Accrington on January 2.

They host Oxford United, the team which eliminated them from last season’s play-offs, on November 24, while visit Sunderland on October 24 and first come up against newly-promoted Plymouth (November 14) at Home Park.

There is also be a new ground for the Fratton faithful to experience, with a trip to AFC Wimbledon and their new Plough Lane home on May 1.

The £30m venue is earmarked to open on October 25 and, hopefully, away supporters will be in place by the time the Blues venture there.

That fixture represents the penultimate match of Pompey’s League One season.

Their final game is at home to Accrington on May 8.

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