This Week's Opposition: Norwich City

We dig a little deeper into Pompey's next Championship opponent, Norwich City.

Fresh off victory in midweek, Portsmouth head up to East Anglia for their next Championship fixture against Norwich City.

MANAGER

The Canaries have Belgian coach Philippe Clement in charge of first team proceedings.

Clement joined the club last November, signing a deal to succeed Liam Manning almost 9 months after he himself was dismissed from his position at Scottish giants Rangers.

The 52-year-old has also previously managed Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco and has a win rate of exactly 50% with Norwich, securing victories in 23 of 46 competitive matches in charge so far.

ONE TO WATCH

20-year-old midfielder Oscar Schwartau is our ‘One To Watch’ this weekend.

The Danish number 29 plays as an attacking midfielder and has fellow countrymen Pelle Mattsson (club vice captain) and Mathias Kvistgaarden for company in the squad.

TOP SCORER

Though out of Philippe Clement’s squad until January nursing a shoulder injury, the club’s leading scorer at this stage of the season is 22-year-old striker Mohamed Toure.

He has 4 league goals to his name so far and is currently back in Australia, for whom he represents on the international stage, to continue with his rehab.

CURRENT FORM

With 9 points and a -3 goal difference from their opening 10 games, The Canaries currently sit in 20th place.

Philippe Clement’s side have the joint-worst defence in the division alongside rock-bottom Preston North End having shipped 20 goals, however do boast the highest goals scored up the other end of the pitch of any team in the bottom half, netting 17.

They have lost each of their last 5 matches across all competitions, a run which includes 4 straight defeats in the league -
Their latest by a 1-0 scoreline to Southampton at Carrow Road on Wednesday night.

This is the first time in a non-top flight season since 1947 that Norwich have lost 7 of their opening 10 league games - An 8th from 11 outings this weekend could see them drop into the Championship relegation zone.

Can the Blues secure back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign or will the hosts manage to stop the rot?

If you can't make it to the game, be sure to join Jake Smith, Graham Butterworth and Danny Thompson for full coverage on Express FM from 2pm on Saturday (October 17th) - Pompey Live delivers all of the unmissable action of every competitive Blues game, home or away, rain or shine!

Kick-off: 3pm!