Saints have the distinct advantage of top level experience on their side as they take on Portsmouth in tonight’s FA Youth Cup tie at St Mary’s.

While Pompey have to make do with taking on sides such as Northampton, AFC Wimbledon and Crawley in the Youth Alliance Under-18 South East League, Saints’ youngsters are turning out each week in the Barclays Under-18 Premier League.

That means Jason Dodd's side are playing against some of the cream of the nation’s academy stars from teams like Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham and Fulham.

Should they win through their south group then they could even take on the might of Manchester United or Manchester City.

It’s been a bit of a mixed season so far for Jason Dodd’s team with their 15 games having yielded six wins, five defeats and four draws to leave them currently seventh in the south group.

They are the division’s great entertainers though, having an equal defensive and attacking record, scoring 28 and leaking 28 in their 15 matches.

To underline how exciting they can be they have already had two 3-3 draws in this campaign.

Pompey, meanwhile, are doing very well in their league.

They have 11 wins and just two defeats and two draws to their name.

While Saints beat Leicester at the weekend to take a bit of form into the game, Pompey bring a superb winning record to St Mary’s.

Their side, who boast former Pompey stars Andy Awford and Paul Hardyman on the staff, have eight wins on the bounce in all competitions and have lost just one game since August.

While Saints enter the competition at the third round stage, Pompey have already had to win through two previous rounds.

The first round was a one sided encounter as they thrashed Wessex League club Moneyfields 12-0.

In the last round they edged out Barton 1-0 at Fratton Park.