Pompey travel to Sunderland tomorrow (3pm) with the former Premier League sides meeting for the eighth time in less than two years.
Something of a rivalry has built amid a Checkatrade Trophy final decided by penalties and heated play-off games that have boiled over.
There’s been little to split the two teams, either, with the Blues winning three, the Black Cats two and the other two matches ending as draws.
The Fratton faithful and Mackems alike know their clubs are punching below their weight in the football pyramid.
Pompey haven't been in the Championship since 2012, while Sunderland are into their third season in League One after finishing eighth last term – the lowest in the club’s history.
Nevertheless, both sides are again expected to be challenging for promotion this campaign and there is plenty of quality in Kenny Jackett and Phil Parkinson's respective dressing rooms.
But who makes our combined XI? We've gone for a 4-2-3-1 formation and both sides are well represented. Take a look at who makes the line-up below.
1. Goalkeeper - Craig MacGillivray
Gets in ahead of team-mate Alex Bass and Sunderland counterpart Lee Burge. The Scot's penalty save from Lee Cattermole in the Checkatrade Trophy final is still vividly remembered by both sets of supporters. MacGillivray's been in good form since working his way back into Pompey's starting XI. Had a blinder at the Stadium of Light in a 1-1 draw in April 2019. Photo: Daniel Chesterton
2. Right-back - Luke O'Nien
The utility man is a key player at the Stadium of Light and gets in this team ahead of Pompey's highly-rated Callum Johnson. O'Nien came across superbly in the fly-on-the-wall documentry Sunderland 'Til I Die and is always a consistent performer. Will be playing in the Championship soon, you'd suspect. Photo: Malcolm Mackenzie
3. Centre-back - Jack Whatmough
Many would agree the academy graduate has been Pompey's best performer so far this season. The defender has come back from his third serious knee injury brilliantly and will relish a first outing at the Stadium of Light. On form, there aren't too many better League one centre-halves. Photo: Daniel Chesterton
4. Centre-back - Bailey Wright
The ex-Bristol City man gets in the side just ahead of team-mates such as Jordan Willis and Tom Flanagan. Proved to be a solid signing since arriving initially on loan in January before making his switch permanent. Overcome ankle ligament injury to make a sound start this season, being part of a Sunderland defence that's conceded just one league goal. Photo: Frank Reid