Hull City and Bristol City get their Championship campaigns underway with a meeting at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams will be looking to make an early impact, particularly the home side who narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season.
Match preview
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The dismissal of Liam Rosenior after last season's seventh-placed finish certainly did not sit well with some Hull supporters, and their former boss has since gone on to be appointed as the new head coach of Strasbourg.
However, focus now turns to a new era under Tim Walter who was manager of Hamburger SV between July 2021 and February 2024, winning 51 of his 104 matches.
Hull fans may question the appointment as much as they did Rosenior's exit, yet the club's hierarchy will get their backing when more signings are expected over the coming weeks.
Replacing players such as Jacob Greaves and Jadon Philogene will be hard tasks and the opening weeks may be a case of hoping for consolidation over a run of victories.
That is highlighted by Hull failing to win a single pre-season fixture, albeit still posting draws with Kasimpasa and Fiorentina along the way.
In sharp contrast, Bristol City came through the same period with four victories to their name, albeit against opponents who ply their trade at a lower level.
Pre-season was concluded with a goalless draw against Dutch side Willem II, and Liam Manning will hope that his squad are in ideal shape to mount a playoff push.
The additions that have been made have come in the final third, perhaps in preparation for Tommy Conway being sold before the end of the summer transfer window.
How the Robins, who rose to 11th during the second half of last season, fare in the opening weeks may dictate whether fresh faces are acquired for other positions.
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Team News
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Walter will plausibly select the majority of the Hull XI that featured against Reading last weekend.
Marvin Mehlem made his debut in that game and should feature in the final third, with one of two possible changes potentially seeing Jean Michael Seri replace Xavier Simons.
Ryan Giles could also be recalled at left-back, while Oscar Estupinan seems in line to lead the attack.
Manning should take the same approach with his Bristol City side, although he has plenty of alternatives in attack to choose from.
Mark Sykes and Fally Mayulu are both pushing for opportunities in the final third after the Robins drew a blank last time out.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman is also an option in midfield should Manning choose to take a more defensive-minded approach.
Hull City possible starting lineup:
Pandur; Drameh, Jones, McLoughlin, Giles; Seri, Slater; Omur, Mehlem, Longman; Estupinan
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring, Knight, Bird; Mehmeti, Bell, Wells, Armstrong
We say: Hull City 2-1 Bristol City
The opening day of the campaign is a complete unknown, and Bristol City will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds with Hull having a new head coach at the helm. Nevertheless, we are backing the Tigers to edge this contest, potentially with a late goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
