The winner of this semi-final at Fratton Park will meet either Charlton Athletic or Doncaster Rovers at Wembley - and those two go head-to-head for their second leg at The Valley on Friday.

Charlton have no new injury concerns for the tie, which they lead 2-1 at the midway point, with striker Igor Vetokele once again missing because of a thigh injury.

Doncaster boss Grant McCann has a fully-fit squad as Rovers seek to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit.

Tommy Rowe, who replaced James Coppinger at half-time in the first leg, is pushing to start while midfield duo Alfie Beestin and Ben Whiteman are fit again and hoping to be involved.

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at Fratton Park

Composure.

That's what both sides need in the second half.

There's a frantic feel to things around this ground among the home supporters while away to my right, the travelling section of Sunderland supporters will probably feel quite content with how that first half went.

Plenty of hustle and bustle by the hosts but only a couple of chances of note to threaten them.

More of the same will see Jack Ross take Sunderland to Wembley for the second time in three months.

Image source, Rex Features

Well that wasn't the greatest was it?

Portsmouth skipper Brett Pitman earns a caution for a late lunge in frustration after losing possession. That just about sums up the first half.

We've had multiple appeals for penalties for pushes, tugs handballs and so on. None of them have looked particularly strong shouts as we enter the final seconds.

There will be three additional minutes.

The first Pompey chance a couple of minutes ago was easily the best of the half.

The imposing figure of Oli Hawkins did superbly to send a header back into the danger zone from Lee Brown's lovely cross and Gareth Evans really should have scored from point-blank range.

Great reactions from the Jon McLaughlin but he shouldn't have had the chance.

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at Fratton Park

It's a scrap.

Tough watch this at times. Two very capable footballing sides as their league positions have shown this season, but struggling to find any composure.

To be fair, what's at stake this evening is clearly playing a part in all this. But the constant niggly challenges and needless over-reactions (in the crowd as well!) to some of the referee's decisions can do one in my view.

Just the one shot on target so far in 39 frantic minutes.

Sunderland's Grant Leadbitter is the sole man to test a keeper, with an early curling effort that produced a routine save.

And then Pompey so nearly score. Jon McLaughlin makes a great reaction save and then moments later Matt Clarke's header hits the bar.

Image source, Reuters

That's as close as we have come to a goal and it could easily have been 2-0 on aggregate.

Chris Maguire gets in behind and cleverly lifts the ball over keeper MacGillivray, but the Sunderland man loses his footing and the ball is cleared.

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer is watching. His side must see off Doncaster to get through to Wembley, where they will face one of these sides.

The Addicks lead 2-1 after the first leg, with the second leg to come at The Valley tomorrow night.

Image source, Rex Features

Charlie Wyke hobbles back on - for now.

Will Grigg is warming up for Sunderland in case. Grigg's not on fire though. Just warmer than he was a few moments ago.

Luke O'Nien heads a cross away for Sunderland who are having to do a fair bit of defending, but cannot relieve the pressure.

Brett Pitman lofts a dangerous ball over towards the far post that almost finds Oli Hawkins at the far post. He may well have been offside there.

Meanwhile, Sunderland's Charlie Wyke is having treatment on a knee injury and is struggling.

It's been a bit 1980s so far. Lots of pumped balls forward to ungainly front men.

Tippy tappy purists won't be enjoying this. The passion is there for all to see, but the quality is missing.

As Adam says (see below) this could well end with one team short-handed.

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at Fratton Park

Image source, Reuters

Both sides are fluffing their lines when getting into the final third so far.

Plenty of needle, though, when competing for the 50/50s and it will be a miracle if this game finishes 11 v 11 judging by the tough time referee Peter Bankes is having trying to maintain order.

A goal now either way would certainly add more spice to the occasion.

A series of blocked shots for Portsmouth who are having their best spell.

Sunderland get bodies in the way and protect their keeper impressively. It's still very frantic. Surely this pace won't last.

Chris Maguire is the next man in the book, the Sunderland player slips when attempting to tackle but he still gets cautioned.

That's lovely approach play from Sunderland, with George Honeyman starting it with a cute ball inside that leads to a dangerous cross. Pompey keeper Craig MacGillivray pushes it away, somewhat unconvincingly.

I said that Gareth Evans challenge looked worse every time you saw it and, well, now you can judge it for yourselves...

Image source, Rex Features

Nothing doing, though - Pompey hoof it clear and, moments later, for a second, Oli Hawkins thought he was going to be in on goal, but the ball runs through.

Sunderland are having a bit of joy down the left. They win another throw deep in opposition territory and they win a corner from it.