Mousinho forecast close Championship season

Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho has said that the Championship has already shown to be really competitive at both ends of the table this season.

The Blues have had a mixed start to 2026-27, winning two and losing three of their opening five matches.

This campaign has seen some big teams come down from the Premier League in West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who in recent years have looked to be established top tier sides.

Despite those marquee names dropping down threatening to dominate the division, Mousinho believes this season's Championship will be tight as evidenced by West Ham's narrow 3-2 win over Bolton in midweek.

"It's already shown to be a tough and really competitive league," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"I don't think there's going to be a pack that run away with it at the top and I don't think there'll be anyone cut off at the bottom.

"If you look at one of the games last week in Bolton v West Ham you had a really tight game between a side that have come up from League One against one of the relegated sides from the Premier League."

Off the back of a win over Cardiff City last weekend, Pompey will face Charlton on Saturday (15:00 BST) as they look to improve on their current position of 17th in the league.

Having played one game more, the Addicks are fifth in the table after winning their opening three matches with with two draws and a loss.

"Charlton have had a really good start," Mousinho added.

"They've had a really busy summer as we have in terms of recruitment in bringing players in, they also had a really good season back in the Championship after their promotion from League One and I fully expect them to build upon that.

"They've had a really strong start to the season and I expect a tough test."