It’s the equivalent of Christmas Eve for all supporters of EFL clubs.

The waiting is almost over and Saturday sees clubs up and down the country begin the 2018/19 campaign.

It is set to be a warm and sunny day on the south coast, as Luton visit Fratton Park for Pompey’s League One opener.

The visitors are sure to still be in a confident mood following their automatic promotion from the fourth tier last term.

Nathan Jones’ men finished second in League Two and were five points behind champions Accrington.

And they certainly entertained their fans along the way, with 7-1, 7-0 and 8-2 victories ensuring they finished as the division’s top scorers.

The Hatters have not been too busy in the transfer market, but snapped up former Pompey centre-back Sonny Bradley from Plymouth.

Fellow defender Matty Pearson has also arrived from Barnsley, while a season-long loan deal was agreed for Nottingham Forest midfielder Jorge Grant.

It was Luton who came out on top when the sides met at Kenilworth Road in the first round of the FA Cup last term, with James Collins netting the only goal of a thrilling contest just before the break.

TEAM NEWS

Pompey will be without Dion Donohue (illness) and Jamal Lowe (ankle), but otherwise have a full-strength squad to choose from.

Summer signings Lee Brown, Ronan Curtis, Louis Dennis, Craig MacGillivray and Tom Naylor could all make their competitive debuts.

Former Pompey players Bradley, Jake Jervis and Dan Potts might feature for the visitors, whose assistant manager is ex-Blues boss Paul Hart.

But they are missing last season’s 23-goal top scorer Danny Hylton, who serves a one-match ban after being sent off at Notts County on the final day of last season.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Read the thoughts of Kenny Jackett and Lee Brown or watch the below videos.

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HEAD TO HEAD

Overall

Pompey: 16 wins

Luton: 22 wins

13 draws

At Fratton Park

Pompey: 12 wins

Luton: 4 wins

8 draws

TICKETS

Fratton Park is full to capacity for Saturday’s game, so no tickets will be available to buy on the day. Click here for more information about our ticket exhange service.

Supporters collecting tickets should visit the Anson Road ticket office (North Stand/Fratton End) or the Frogmore Road ticket office (South Stand).

Parking in the North Stand car park is priced £10 per car and allocated on a first come, first served basis.



Click here for a Q&A about season cards.

VICTORY LOUNGE

The Victory Lounge behind the Fratton End is open for supporters from 12pm and will be open at half-time and after the game.

Please note that after taking police advice, recyclable plastic cups will be used on Saturday.

MATCH COVERAGE

Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andy Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from 2pm on Saturday.

Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch the action – now with on-screen graphics – and commentary will begin from around 10 minutes before kick-off.

Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device.

We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story and Snapchat account.

There will be post-match reaction on the website, iFollow and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to Express FM or BBC Radio Solent.

BETTING

Pompey are the 5/4 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 9/4.

Click here to read our full betting guide and visit www.skybet.com/pompey for great offers and promotions. Please gamble responsibly.

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE

Sunderland v Charlton (12.30pm)

Accrington v Gillingham

Barnsley v Oxford

Burton v Rochdale

Coventry v Scunthorpe

Fleetwood v AFC Wimbledon

Peterborough v Bristol Rovers

Shrewsbury v Bradford

Southend v Doncaster

Walsall v Plymouth

Wycombe v Blackpool

LAST FRATTON MEETING