This Week's Opposition: Norwich City

The Canaries are the latest side to be put under the microscope as Portsmouth prepare to embark on matchday 2 of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

Matchday number 2 of the new Championship season awaits the Blues and it’s The Canaries who make the trip down to the South Coast.

MANAGER

Liam Manning, who started his coaching career in 2006 with the Ipswich Town academy, is now in the dugout for Norwich City.

He went on to manage the likes of Lommel SK, MK Dons, Oxford United and Bristol City before being appointed at the helm at Carrow Road this June.

Last term, the 39-year-old led Bristol City to a 6th place finish and their first Championship Play-Off Semi-Final appearance in 17 years but decided to switch avian allegiances in the summer, swapping The Robins for The Canaries.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to watch this weekend is 19-year-old Jacob Wright.

The midfielder began his career with Manchester City, making his UEFA Champions League debut last March, coming on as a substitute for Erling Haaland in the closing minutes of a victory over Copenhagen.

The England youth international joined Norwich on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season in February and Norwich triggered an option in the deal to secure his services on a permanent basis in June.

TOP SCORER

With 1 league and 1 Carabao Cup goal to his name, The Canaries’ leading scorer is their in demand number 9, Josh Sargent.

Sargent joined Norwich in August 2021 on a 4-year deal and during his time at the club so far, he has netted 50 goals from 135 appearances.

Last season, the American was Norwich’s 2nd top scorer with 15 league goals, setting himself up to be named in the EFL Team of the Season and voted by Norwich supporters as their Player of the Season.

CURRENT FORM

Norwich began the new season with a 2-1 defeat to Millwall in the Championship, a result which slotted them into 18th position after the opening round of league fixtures.

Liam Manning’s side then took to the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night and found their winning formula, beating Watford by 2 goals to 1 away from home.

Last term, The Canaries finished in 13th position after a record of 14 wins, 15 draws and 17 defeats from their 46 league fixtures.

The previous meeting between these two sides ended in a 5-3 victory for Portsmouth in what proved to be a thrilling Good Friday fixture at Carrow Road.

Can the Blues bounce back from their midweek Carabao Cup defeat and secure a second Championship win?

Find out by tuning in for all of the unmissable action this Saturday morning from 11:30am, when Jake Smith, David Howes and James Wilson will be reporting LIVE from the Fratton Park press box for Express FM.

Kick-off: 12:30pm!