“They will bring a lot of noise to the Championship, they’ve paid their dues in League One, they were more than ready to get back” – Southampton reminded about Portsmouth rivalry as form drops ahead of Championship play-offs

David Prutton has issued a reminder to Southampton about the potential south-coast derby against Pompey in the Championship next season.

As a former Saints midfielder, now working with Sky Sports, he emphasized the intensity and edge of the matchup awaiting Southampton should they fail to secure promotion to the Premier League this season.

John Mousinho’s Blues did their bit in increasing the chances of the fixture’s comeback by securing the League One title this season. But the only way Southampton can avoid a double header against their fiercest rivals next term is if Russell Martin’s side secure promotion via the Championship play-offs.

Their chances of an immediate return to the Premier League were crushed by their ongoing three-match losing streak, distancing them from Leicester and Leeds, who have recently clinched promotion, as well as Ipswich, who are competing for the final automatic promotion spot.

With Southampton’s form dropping at a critical time of the season, their playoff adversaries will be eager to capitalize on their weaknesses in the upcoming matches.

No doubt, Pompey will be keeping a close eye on their neighbour’s progress, with the last league meeting between the two sides dating back to April 2012. And despite Prutton’s allegiances, after four-and-a-half years at St Mary’s, he said he’d happily see the fixture return to the footballing calendar as he welcomed Pompey’s promotion back to the Championship as champions.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the 42-year-old said: ‘They (Pompey) will bring a lot of noise (to the Championship). They’ll bring a hell of a lot of fans. Pompey fans especially, they’ve paid their dues in League One, they were more than ready to get back up.

‘The job that John Mousinho’s done – again, phenomenal, because there is a real weight of expectation on that club down there. Historically, we’ve seen it punching well above its weight in the Premier League and to see the decline of that club has been tough, if you are a Pompey fan, of course.

‘But if you are a lover of big traditional football clubs as well, you want to see them at the highest possible level.

‘I’m sure Southampton fans won’t thank me for reminding them that potentially there’s a south-coast derby there, if Southampton can’t navigate the play-offs, which is a cracking game to play – it’s fierce, it’s brutal, it’s got a real edge to it, it’s one that’s well worth tuning in for.’

With fourth place and a play-off spot secured, Southampton’s last game of the season is on Saturday against Leeds. At this moment in time, Norwich will be their likely opponents in the semi-finals. Although there’s still a possibility that it’s West Brom they come up against.

With fourth place and a play-off spot secured, Southampton’s last game of the season is on Saturday against Leeds. At this moment in time, Norwich will be their likely opponents in the semi-finals. Although there’s still a possibility that it’s West Brom they come up against.