Jack Ross had to make a late change to his starting line up after Aiden McGeady was injured in the warm up.
He was replaced by Lynden Gooch in the side.
McGeady had been one of six changes from the defeat at Southend.
Lee Cattermole, Bryan Oviedo, Luke O’Nien, and George Honeyman, and Lewis Morgan were all rested for the trip to Roots Hall but came into the line-up against Pompey.
And Grant Leadbitter, Gooch, Denver Hume, Adam Matthews, Will Grigg, and Chris Maguire were the men to make way - although Gooch is now in the starting XI.
Denver Hume is now on the bench to replace Gooch.
The Black Cats boss had virtually a fully-fit squad to pick from, with only Duncan Watmore ruled out.
The forward is back in training and has a chance of making the squad for the return fixture.
The second leg takes place on Thursday, May 16, kicking off at 7.45pm at Fratton Park.
SUNDERLAND: McLaughlin, O'Nien, Flanagan, Ozturk, Oviedo, Cattermole, Power, Honeyman, Morgan, Gooch, Wyke.
Subs: Ruiter, Matthews, Maguire, Grigg, Leadbitter, Dunne, Gooch.
PORTSMOUTH: MacGillivray, Thompson, Burgess, Clarke, Walkes, Naylor, Close, Lowe, Evans, Curtis, Hawkins.
Subs: Bass, Cannon, Morris, May, Dennis, Bogle, Solomon-Otabor
