Liam Manning makes ‘difficult’ prediction for Norwich City vs Millwall clash on opening weekend

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Norwich City begin their 2025/26 Championship campaign with the visit of Millwall on Saturday afternoon.

Norwich City have enjoyed one of the best summer transfer windows of any Championship side ahead of the new season.

As a result, summer appointment Liam Manning is poised for success in his first season in charge at Carrow Road.

OPTA’s supercomputer predictions have seen Norwich tipped for 12th place next season, but the Canaries faithful will be expecting the club to impact the top half of the table.

Up first on opening weekend for Norwich is Millwall, and Manning has made an honest admission about what he expects.

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Liam Manning predicts ‘difficult’ clash in Norwich City vs Millwall

Despite the seemingly low predictions from OPTA, Manning will be hoping to end Norwich’s top flight absence within his first season in charge.

Manning led Bristol City to a play-off place last season, which ended in a 6-0 aggregate defeat over the two legs against Sheffield United.

Last season, Norwich beat Millwall 2-1 at home on Boxing Day, but were then beaten 3-1 by the Lions in late April.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash, Manning has admitted that facing Alex Neil and his Lions will be a “difficult” game.

• Norwich City vs Millwall – 3:00 pm – Saturday, August 9

As quoted by The Pink Un, Manning said: “I’ve coached against Alex multiple times. Everywhere he’s been, he’s done a terrific job.

“You can see the expectations he has for his players. We know like every Championship game, it’s going to be a difficult one.”

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Norwich City and Millwall will be top-six contenders this season

Millwall finished eighth in the Championship last season, after the Lions’ impressive form towards the end of the campaign.

Following that, Millwall have made several high-profile additions to Neil’s squad, which signifies the Lions’ intent on bettering last term’s feat.

Millwall signed Josh Coburn for a club-record fee, and Alfie Doughty has joined Millwall after his exit from Luton Town.

The Canaries have made a plethora of quality additions themselves this summer, namely with Norwich’s signing of Jeffrey Schlupp.

With both Norwich and Millwall enjoying impressive summer windows and having two of the best head coaches the Championship has to offer, the duo who meet on Saturday will both be hoping for a winning start to their promotion quests.