Norwich City fans will be desperate for Liam Manning to defy OPTA’s prediction for 2025/26 Championship

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Norwich City fans will not be pleased with OPTA’s supercomputer projections for the upcoming Championship season.

Norwich City finished 13th in the Championship table last season, and a summer of change has ensued at Carrow Road as a result.

Norwich appointed Liam Manning as the permanent successor to Johannes Hoff Thorup, and the head coach who led Bristol City to a play-off place in May has wasted no time in building the Canaries squad in his desired image.

Despite Norwich losing Borja Sainz to Porto, the departure of last season’s top goalscorer has been outweighed by the club’s stellar summer transfer business.

As a result, EFL Analysis have tipped Norwich for a top-six finish in our 2025/26 Championship preview, but the OPTA supercomputer does not agree.

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Norwich City fans will hope Liam Manning can defy OPTA prediction

Norwich have completed some impressive deals so far this summer in a number of key positions.

Norwich signed Jeffrey Schlupp at the expense of Sheffield United and West Brom, and have also added goalscoring prowess to the squad with the £6.9m signing of Mathias Kvistgaarden.

Therefore, OPTA supercomputer predictions regarding Norwich have made a projection that will surprise the Carrow Road faithful.

OPTA’s supercomputer, which estimates the likelihood of teams finishing in each position in the competition, has backed Norwich to finish in 12th place next season.

Additionally, the analysis model has placed a points tally prediction of 62 for the Canaries, which would equate to a five-point improvement on last season’s feat.

Although this would be an improvement on 2024/25, Norwich fans will be hoping and expecting for better in Manning’s debut season in charge.

• READ MORE: Liam Manning has one piece of business to complete this summer that can save Norwich City £1.82m

Norwich City’s chances in 2025/26 could hinge on Josh Sargent’s future

Earlier in the summer window, Norwich striker Josh Sargent was linked with a Wolfsburg move after his impressive 15-goal season for the Canaries.

Burnley and Wolfsburg wanted Sargent, and the German giants won the race for his signature, before it emerged that the deal had collapsed.

Sargent’s Wolfsburg move fell through last month, leaving the USA international with an uncertain future with the 2025/26 Championship season fast approaching.

Norwich fans were elated with Kvistgaarden’s arrival, and if Sargent stays beyond the summer window, then the forward duo will be primed to fire the Canaries to a top-six finish and help Manning defy the OPTA supercomputer prediction.