Portsmouth 2025/26 Season Preview: Transfers, Tactics & Predictions

A new season is nearly here, and there’s an air of anticipation building around Fratton Park.

After a busy summer, Portsmouth are gearing up for the 2025/26 campaign with fresh faces, new ideas, and big ambitions. After surviving the drop last season, Pompey fans will be hoping to see their side kick on this term.

John Mousinho is easily one of the most overlooked managers in the Championship.

Dealt with relentless injuries all year and had to recover from a dismal start to the season, but Pompey are staying up 💙

They get a first South Coast derby in the league since 2012 as a reward 👀 pic.twitter.com/4LyUURryng

— The72 - We Love the #EFL (@_The72) April 21, 2025

In this preview, we’ll break down all the key talking points — from the latest transfer ins and outs, to how the team might shape up tactically, and of course, our predictions for the season ahead.

Summer Transfers: Who's In & Who's Out

Portsmouth's incomings have a youthful feel, with only John Swift (30) being aged over-25 among the recruits, with a clear emphasis on reinforcing the midfield areas.

Many fans are hoping that the addition of Mark Kosznovszky will mean that the side will set up in a 4-3-3 formation, which was requested throughout last season. There is also optimism that the side will now score more goals from midfield, particularly through Kosznovszky and John Swift; this was an area where Pompey suffered last season.

Portsmouth have impressed defensively throughout pre-season, which explains the lack of transfer action in this area. However, they will be hoping for a more settled centre-back pairing this term, having experimented with 14 different partnerships last season.

Portsmouth Incomings 2025/26 (Transfermarkt)

The consensus among fans and experts is that Pompey have not lost any crucial players during the off-season and that those coming through the door are better than those on their way out.

Fans believe that the squad is perhaps light of one winger, so the decision to allow two to leave could be called into question if no one is signed before the end of the window.

Portsmouth Outgoings 2025/26 (Transfermarkt)

Tactical Outlook: What to Expect on the Pitch

Out of the 18 teams to play in the Championship last season and this season, only PORTSMOUTH have not changed manager.#Pompey pic.twitter.com/ya4mVpzNxO

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) July 29, 2025

John Mousinho is a man who can do no wrong right now in the eyes of the Portsmouth fanbase. After a tricky start to the season with one win in their first 14 games, Mousinho switched to a high-press system, which led to a considerable upturn in their luck.

This pressing style can be expected to continue into the new campaign, with a 4-3-3 formation most likely to be deployed.

Here is how we think Pompey will lineup with a fully fit squad:

Season Expectations & Predictions

Mark your calendars for 13th September 2025! 🗓️

Portsmouth and Southampton face off in the league for the first time since 2012 — a derby long overdue and not to be missed! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LP30PVRjrL

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 26, 2025

Last season, Mousinho's side confirmed that they are of Championship quality and deserve to be in the division. The expectation is to build on this progress while remaining realistic; if the squad stays fit, a mid-table finish would be the aim.

Here are our predictions for Portsmouth's 2025/25 season:

League Finish: 13th

Top Scorer: Colby Bishop

One-to-Watch: Mark Kosznovszky