For some years now, the Championship has been considered one of the most exciting leagues in Europe and the fun returns on Friday evening as promotion hopefuls Derby County travel to Reading.
Having worked for years as a ‘number two’ Royals boss Paul Clement was handed his first manager’s job by today’s opponents while he worked with the man in the opposite dugout – Frank Lampard during his two years at Chelsea.
As for Lampard, this is his first bite at the managerial cherry and he guides a Derby side who have fallen just short over the past few seasons.
Last term saw them finish in the top six for the third time in five seasons though they were beaten in the semi-finals by eventual promotion winners Fulham.
Merry-go-round
The man Lampard replaced – Gary Rowett moved to Stoke City in the summer and it is the Potters who begin the 2018/19 campaign as favourites for the title.
They begin life back in the second tier with a tough trip to fellow promotion hopefuls Leeds United who themselves are under a new manager – former Argentina and Chile boss Marcelo Bielsa.
West Bromwich Albion gave Darren Moore the top job at the Hawthorns after he helped the Baggies end a dismal Premier League campaign with dignity and they, like Stoke are tipped to make an immediate return to the top flight.
They host a Bolton Wanderers side who secured their second-tier status on the last day of the season, coming from behind to beat Nottingham Forest as Burton Albion lost to Preston and North End.
Hopeful
After four bottom half finishes in a row – Forest are among the favourites to go up after recruiting no less than eleven new players though they face a tricky trip to Bristol City on Saturday.
Aitor Karanka’s men can be priced at 10/3 to return to the Premier League after a twenty-year absence.
Many are backing former Forest man Britt Assombalonga to finish the season as top scorer for Middlesbrough – something to Teesiders would welcome as it would do their hopes of returning to the big time no harm and they start the season at Millwall.
Difficulties
Aston Villa have had a turbulent summer with financial difficulties and managerial uncertainty just two of the factors hampering their preparations. They do however have an extra couple of days to get themselves ready with Hull City their opponents on Monday evening.
Elsewhere, Sheffield United and Swansea City face off at Bramall Lane, Birmingham City welcome Norwich City to St Andrews and Queens Park Rangers travel to Preston North End.
Last season’s League One champions Wigan Athletic play Sheffield Wednesday at the DW Stadium while fellow Championship returnees Blackburn Rovers and Rotherham United travel to Ipswich Town and Brentford respectively.
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