Good possession from Sunderland around the Portsmouth area.

Aji Alese heads the ball towards goal and Nicolas Schmid grabs it out of the air under a bit of pressure.

This is a very open game.

Sunderland's Aji Alese catches Callum Lang with a flailing arm and treatment is required.

Lang is up on his feet and Alese escapes any punishment from referee Thomas Bramall.

Ryley Towler clears the ball off the line for Portsmouth.

A good cross from Adil Aouchiche finds Patrick Roberts who beats Nicolas Schmid but not Towler on the line.

It might have hit the post had Towler left it but safety first is the right decision.

Crewe have been forced into an early defensive substitution - James Connolly has gone off injured, to be replaced by Lewis Billington.

Both sides have gone close to an opener since our last update but it remains goalless.

Image source, Rex Features

We're seeing a lot more of Portsmouth in attacking positions now which has caused a few ripples of concern in the home crowd.

Anthony Patterson in the home goal has almost been caught by delaying passes on a couple of occasions - hearts in mouths stuff for Sunderland supporters.

A corner for Sunderland but it's easily cleared.

Portsmouth have lost their past three away league games and haven't lost four in a row since November 2014 and that was in League Two.

They seem to have settled now and win a corner of their own which Anthony Patterson punches clear.

Guy Whittingham
Former Portsmouth manager on BBC Radio Solent

It's been a good reaction to the goal, I think John Mousinho will be happy about that.

What he won't be happy about is the way they conceded it.

That goal from Wilson Isidor is his eighth of the season and it might be his easiest.

I'm sure Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid will be questioned over his starting position.

Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson hasn't touched the ball yet.

Not much to report from the early stages in our solitary League Two fixture today.

Crewe have had the better of the possession and have had a couple of efforts blocked, while Bromley's Idris Odutayo has had an early shot saved by Alex goalkeeper Filip Marschall.

Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland on the counter-attack look very good.

It's great play from Isidor, it's the perfect start from Sunderland and a great finish.

Another assist for Mayenda.

A wasted free-kick by Sunderland midway inside the Portsmouth half.

It's overhit and drifts behind but the visitors play themselves into trouble from the goalkick with Nicolas Schmid playing it straight to a Sunderland attacker but when it's switched out to Patrick Roberts he hits it over.

Some good early crisp passing from Sunderland who last tasted defeat at home on the final day of last season when Sheffield Wednesday went away with all three points.

Since then 12 sides have tried and failed to beat Sunderland on home turf.

It's a 680 mile round trip for Portsmouth fans to get to Sunderland.

That's some challenge on any day but given the weather conditions they will have seen on the way up you have to tip your (bobble) hat to those who have made the journey.

It's a good atmosphere inside the Stadium of Light.

Right,

Issues at both ends of the Championship are under the magnifying glass for the next couple of hours.

We've also got eyes on Crewe against Bromley in League Two for you with the home side having a chance to jump up to second place today.

We're under way...

Image source, Rex Features

This is only the second time Crewe and Bromley have met in a competitive league game. The first was in August, when late goals from Mickey Demetriou and Chris Long earned a 2-1 comeback win for the Alex.

Last season's beaten play-off finalists scored two stoppage-time goals to complete an incredible turnaround against Carlisle in their most recent fixture on 1 January.

A win by two clear goals today will see them climb to second in the table.

Today's opponents Bromley have more than held their own in their first ever season in the EFL.

They are on a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions, 11th in the table and this time next week they'll be taking on Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth's 12 year absence from the Championship ended spectacularly last season with a romp to the League One title - finishing five points clear of second placed Derby and 10 inside the automatic promotion spots.

A week is a long time in football so 12 years must seem like a lifetime and Pompey have found out the hard way how much the Championship has moved on without them.

It took them 10 goes to pick-up their first victory of the season and seven to record a home win but it's their form at Fratton Park which has given head coach John Mousinho hope of keeping their heads above the dotted line.

Thirteen points from a possible 15 at home, which has included scoring four goals against both Coventry City and Swansea City respectively have kept them competitive.

The trouble is, the fourth worst away record in the division isn't going to cut it and with only leaky Plymouth shipping more goals on their travels the form on the road will need to improve significantly.

BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator, Andrew Moon says the over reliance on home results cannot continue.

"Realistically that's not sustainable and five of the top eight still need to travel to PO4 this season. The away form does need to improve but continuing to beat mid-table and below teams at home will be crucial to survive," he said.

Could that improvement start at the Stadium of Light Today?

Hands up who had Sunderland fourth at the turn of the year and challenging for automatic promotion?

Yes? You're a glass half fuller aren't you?

No? Your glass may look more empty than full but no-one's criticising given the evidence at hand.

Having only appointed Regis Le Bris at the end of June they started their recruitment behind plenty of other side.

And on the back of a 16th placed finish last season which featured 10 defeats from their final 15 games there wasn't too much optimism on Wearside.

Fast forward to January 2025 and here we are with Sunderland eyeing a genuine chance of a return to the top table from which they departed eight years ago.

An electric start of nine wins from their opening 12 league games and only two defeats had them leading the pack before a winless run of six quelled the promotion fever a little.

That stretch of games could have seen a fall from grace but four wins from their past seven outings and victory over Sheffield United on New Year's day surely makes them the real deal and those with their glass half full might be raising it in celebration come May.

And here's how the League Two table looks before today's game...