AFC Bournemouth head to Fratton Park on Saturday for their first pre-season match on UK soil ahead of the 2017/18 season.

Debut day for Defoe and Begovic?

Saturday’s match could see a first pre-season outing for new signings Jermain Defoe and Asmir Begovic, though of course both players have previously turned out in Bournemouth colours during loan spells.

The pair are also both former Portsmouth players, Defoe spending a year with the club from 2008, while Begovic came through Pompey’s youth system before being sold to Stoke City seven years later.

Nathan Ake and Connor Mahoney both started the 2-1 win in Spain against Estoril Praia last weekend, but could feature for the first time on English soil since their summer moves to Vitality Stadium.

Pitman at Pompey

He may have scored 102 goals for the Cherries over two spells, but striker Brett Pitman will be looking to fire against his former side for Portsmouth on Saturday.

Pitman joined Pompey less than a fortnight ago and has already made a positive impression with the Fratton faithful, scoring twice on his pre-season debut against Bognor last weekend before being named club captain by his new manager this week.

Recent clashes

The two sides have become regular sparring partners in recent seasons. Fratton Park hosted a 3-3 pre-season draw between the teams a year ago, Lewis Grabban, Jordon Ibe and Dan Gosling scoring for the Cherries.

The last three competitive meetings have seen a hat-trick of Bournemouth wins, the most recent a 2-1 away success for Eddie Howe’s men in January 2016, late goals from Joshua King and Marc Pugh turning a losing position into a fourth round FA Cup win.

Portsmouth’s pre-season

After their promotion from League Two last season Portsmouth have changed a lot more than just their division ahead of the new season.
Manager Paul Cook departed for Wigan and was replaced by Kenny Jackett, with defender Nathan Thompson from Swindon, ‘keeper Luke McGee from Tottenham and Pitman the standout summer signings.

Pre-season has seen Pompey win five from five to date, albeit against a string of non-league sides. Jackett’s side played Newport from the Isle of Wight most recently on Tuesday and recorded an 8-0 victory.

Pay on the day available

The Vitality Stadium ticket office has sold their initial away allocation of 800 tickets for the game, though Cherries fans will be able to buy tickets on matchday at Fratton Park.

There will be approximately 200 tickets available to buy for away fans from the cash only North Stand ticket office, close to the away end.

Matchday prices for AFC Bournemouth are as follows: