Get ready for a Championship season that promises to deliver a thrilling ride, with Burnley set to host West Ham in the opening weekend's flagship fixture on Sunday, 16 August. This mouth-watering clash is a perfect appetiser for what's shaping up to be a feast of football, as the three relegated Premier League teams – Burnley, West Ham, and Wolves – embark on their quest for an immediate return to the top flight.
Burnley's bid to bounce back from 19th place in the Premier League will be put to the test under uncertain circumstances. The Clarets' managerial merry-go-round continues, with Craig Bellamy's potential appointment now seemingly off the table following Scott Parker's departure in May. Meanwhile, West Ham United, relegated on the final day of last season after a remarkable 14-year stint in the Premier League, will rely on Nuno Espirito Santo to steer them back into the big time – and he'll be drawing from the experience of guiding Wolves to Championship title success in 2017-18.
The curtain-raiser at Molineux will see Wolves take on Blackburn Rovers, with the black-and-gold army seeking redemption after a dismal bottom-of-the-table finish. The return of Cesar Peixoto as manager has sparked renewed optimism, but it's a tall order for the newly reappointed boss to revive fortunes and keep the West Midlands faithful entertained.
Adding an extra layer of intrigue is Southampton's four-point deduction – the result of their involvement in the 'Spygate' scandal. The Saints will begin their season with that handicap, which they'll look to overcome as they travel to Watford for their opening fixture. Elsewhere, new boys Lincoln City take on beaten play-off finalists Middlesbrough, while Bolton Wanderers host Preston North End and promoted Cardiff City face Wrexham in a tantalising Welsh derby.
The Championship season gets underway a week before the Premier League campaign begins, with Burnley's clash against West Ham serving as a stark reminder of the daunting task facing clubs seeking promotion. Recent history shows that consecutive relegations to League One can be a very real threat – as Leicester City and Luton Town have painfully demonstrated in recent seasons.
With high-profile derby matches featuring Millwall v West Ham, Wolves v West Brom, and Southampton v Portsmouth on the horizon, fans can expect an electrifying ride throughout the campaign. The full schedule for the opening weekend is a tantalising prospect: Bolton Wanderers v Preston North End (12:30), Bristol City v Millwall (15:00), Charlton Athletic v Derby County (15:00), Middlesbrough v Lincoln City (15:00), Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion (15:00), Portsmouth v Queens Park Rangers (15:00), Sheffield United v Birmingham City (15:00), and Stoke City v Swansea City (15:00).