Bristol City vs. Blackpool (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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League One playoff winners Blackpool mark their return to the Championship with a trip to face Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Nigel Pearson will be hoping that City are ready to hit the ground running after a poor end to the 2021-22 campaign.
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Blackpool
There is an argument that Blackpool are the marginal favourites for this contest given how City ended last season. Nevertheless, we have to back the established second-tier club to prevail in a close game, potentially with a goal in the latter stages.
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Cardiff vs. Barnsley (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Cardiff City and Barnsley square off on Saturday afternoon looking to build on their encouraging performances during the last Championship campaign.
While the Bluebirds improved under Mick McCarthy before missing out on the playoffs, Barnsley made the top six before being edged out in the semi-finals.
We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Barnsley
With Schopp still adapting to English football, there is no doubt that Barnsley would be delighted with a share of the spoils on Saturday. However, we feel that Cardiff will do enough to claim all three points with Moore getting on the scoresheet.
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Preston vs. Hull City (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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League One champions Hull City return to the second tier after a one-year absence on Saturday, as they visit Preston North End at Deepdale.
While the Tigers topped the lower division to seal their Championship return, Preston finished with a flourish to post a respectable 13th-place finish, and hope to bring that momentum into the new campaign.
We say: Preston North End 0-1 Hull City
Hull's rebirth as a Championship club can be completed with an away win on the opening day, as - despite some absences - they have enough talent to test Preston's rearguard.
The home side only managed a mediocre goal-per-game ratio last season - scoring less than several sides below them in the table - and could draw a blank again, only to see their visitors sting them on the break.
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QPR vs. Millwall (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Both mid-table finishers last season, Queens Park Rangers welcome London rivals Millwall to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday, hoping to embark on a push for a top-six place this term.
While QPR aim to improve on ninth, the Lions will attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time since returning to the Championship in 2017.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Millwall
Now with numerous options in attack and defence, QPR are surely poised to push for a place in the higher echelons of the table this season, so can get their campaign underway with a win over Millwall.
Both managers are shrewd operators at this level, but the home side's squad features a little more individual quality, which should make the difference on Saturday.
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Stoke vs. Reading (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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In the first round of fixtures of the 2021-22 Championship season, two sides with high hopes will square off as Reading make the trip to Staffordshire to take on Stoke City.
Reading narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year, while their hosts only fell out of reach in the final third of the season, and both sides will have their sights set on a top-six finish this time around.
We say: Stoke City 1-1 Reading
Reading had a particularly impressive start to last season under Paunovic and still possess the majority of their important players, while Stoke could look a completely new proposition this season with several valuable additions and the removal of dead weight.
We see the two sides opening with a stalemate as both look to get off to a good start while fearing a defeat.
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Blackburn vs. Swansea (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Russell Martin begins his Swansea City reign with a trip to face Blackburn Rovers in the club's Championship opener for 2021-22.
Despite a quiet summer on the transfer front, Tony Mowbray will be looking to get Rovers off to a positive start at Ewood Park.
We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Swansea City
With neither team enjoying the best preparations for the new season, we feel that both clubs will be focused on avoiding an opening-day defeat. With that in mind, do not expect much entertainment at Ewood Park in a game which could end in a low-scoring draw.
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Luton vs. Peterborough (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Luton Town start their third straight season in the Championship against promoted Peterborough United on Saturday, as they finally welcome fans back to a sold-out Kenilworth Road.
While the Hatters ultimately managed to secure a top-half finish last term - as Nathan Jones led them to their highest points total in the second tier since 1982 - Posh were finally able to escape League One after eight long years.
We say: Luton Town 2-2 Peterborough United
Given Luton's prolific pre-season and their visitors' notoriously attack-minded nature, goals could be on the cards at a buzzing Kenilworth Road this weekend.
The hosts' greater experience at this level should stand them in good stead, but Peterborough's razor-sharp forwards are in demand for a reason.
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Derby vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Three months after their miraculous escape from relegation, Derby County kick off the new Championship season with a home fixture against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
While both clubs had seasons to forget last term, County are seeking stability despite a threadbare squad, and the Terriers come into the campaign buoyed by a hard-fought Carabao Cup win last weekend.
We say: Derby County 1-2 Huddersfield Town
Whichever team Derby field to start their Championship challenge, they will not have been able to knit together in time, so defeat is the expected result when Pride Park opens its doors to the public once again.
Though Huddersfield's recruitment has been modest due to financial constraints, the Terriers have a handful of players that can cause problems for the home side and a remodelled defence can hardly fare worse than last season.
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Sheff Utd vs. Birmingham (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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In their first game back in the Championship after finishing at the foot of the Premier League last season, Sheffield United will welcome Birmingham City to a packed Bramall Lane on Saturday evening.
Now under the management of Slavisa Jokanovic, the Blades come into the campaign as one of the favourites to win promotion back to the top flight, while their visitors will also come into the season with confidence under Lee Bowyer after he guided them to safety last year.
We say: Sheffield United 1-0 Birmingham City
Birmingham looked rejuvenated under Bowyer at the end of last season, thriving with a solid back line, and they will certainly pose a tough test for the newly-relegated side.
On this occasion though, we see the Blades' quality-filled squad just getting over the line in what will be a tough clash against a Blues side who will come to Bramall Lane to frustrate them.
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Barney Corkhill
