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Preparations are already well underway behind the scenes at Fratton Park as John Mousinho, Rich Hughes and Co plan for Pompey’s second-successive campaign back in the Championship.
There will be some familiar trips to the likes of QPR, Millwall, Oxford United, Swansea City and more, while Leicester City, Charlton Athletic, Wrexham, Ipswich Town and Wrexham are back in the calendar.
It doesn’t stop there for the Blues, with Mousinho’s men rekindling their rivalry with Southampton following their relegation from the Premier League.
After a 16th-placed finish last term, there is plenty of expectation going into the new season, which gets underway in August.
But where could Pompey finish?
Well, we’ve taken to the world of AI, specifically X’s Grok tool, to predict the final 2025-26 Championship standings. Here where the Blues are expected to end the campaign.
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17. 9th: West Brom
Prediction: Consistently competitive, they’re poised for a play-off push but may fall short of the top six. | Getty Images
18. 8th: Norwich City
Prediction: A historically strong Championship side with play-off pedigree, likely to finish in the upper mid-table. | Getty Images
19. 7th: Middlesbrough
Prediction: Tipped for a top-six finish, their consistent squad and recent form suggest a strong season. | Getty Images
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20. 6th: Birmingham City
Prediction: Their record-breaking 111-point League One season and significant financial backing make them a surprise play-off contender, though top-two may be a stretch. | Getty Images