Portsmouth head to Sunderland this weekend looking forward to the challenge of playing at the Stadium of Light - and with assistant manager Joe Gallen claiming his side are better away from home.
The two sides both have promotion ambitions again this term, but Sunderland have made much the better start in League One.
Although Pompey sit just three places and three points behind the Black Cats in the early table, Phil Parkinson's men have played a game less and are unbeaten so far this term.
Portsmouth come into the game on the back of morale-boosting 2-0 win at Gillingham as they bounced back from Saturday's home defeat to Doncaster.
And Gallen was delighted with the performance and the confidence it gives the visitors for this weekend's clash.
“To go to Gillingham and play the way we did was very pleasing," he said. "Obviously winning was the priority, but a performance like that provides confidence.
“We’re now expecting a tough game at Sunderland, but belief is high, and we seem to be doing better away from home.
It’s always a great opportunity for us to go there because they are one of the big clubs in the division.
“Like us, they’re very well supported and – a bit like ourselves – are hoping not to be at this level for too much longer.
“It’s a privilege to be involved in matches like this and our players should be looking forward to the challenge of going there and trying to win.”
It should have been a lively occasion at the Stadium of Light tomorrow, but of course the stands will be empty and eerily silent again.
And Gallen feels that is a real shame as two of the division's biggest clubs lock horns
“It’s a real disappointment a match of this magnitude has to take place behind closed doors," he told Portsmouth's club website.
“Sunderland are one of the biggest clubs outside the Premier League, and it’s a shame there will be no fans there to enjoy the occasion. We’ve missed the crowd at home, there’s no doubt about that – but it will be the same for everybody else.”
