You rarely get a meaningless game between Pompey and Plymouth, and Good Friday’s tussle (see, I didn’t call it a dockyard derby) is certainly not meaningless.

A year to the weekend in which they won 2-1 here to put a massive dent in our automatic promotion hopes, we host the same fixture desperate for a different outcome.

Happily we will go into the encounter concentrating on whether we can catch up with the Pilgrims, rather than worrying too much on who can catch up with us - though a defeat in this one would, depending on other results, perhaps just turn the pressure dial back up a little.

What perhaps separates the Pompey-Plymouth story from that of many other Blues match-ups is that we’ve never been far from our most recent game with them.

In fact, since the 50s, we have played them in every decade — can anyone think of another team to have featured in our history in the same way?

The rivalry has intensifed during our current stay in League Two, although it does seem to bother Argyle fans more than it gets Pompey followers worked up.

Maybe that’s because they’ve been in the fourth tier for two years longer than us. Or maybe it’s because they’re a bit short of neighbours to dislike, or big clubs they play regularly.

Anyway, whatever either side’s supporters, players or officials think of their opposite numbers, the chances are Friday will serve up a cracking game.

And, in the unlikely even of you needing it, there’s one extra reason Pompey should be super keen to win this time.

The sides have met 41 times in league games. And the current win tally? Pompey 20, Plymouth 21.

STEVE BONE @stevebone1 on Twitter

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