The 2022/23 Football League fixtures have been revealed and relegated Norwich start as the 6.50 favourites in bwin’s Championship winner odds.
New Burnley boss Vincent Kompany takes his side to Huddersfield, last season’s beaten play-off finalists, for the first game of the season on Friday July 29.
Here we take a look at the leading contenders to win the title and secure a place in the Premier League.
Norwich @ 6.50
The Canaries have won the title in their previous two Championship campaigns, accumulating 94 and 97 points in 2018/19 and 2020/21 respectively.
Manager Dean Smith will take charge of his first full season at Carrow Road having replaced Daniel Farke last November and has already signed experienced midfielder Isaac Hayden on a season-long loan from Newcastle.
A trip to Cardiff on the opening day is followed by games against Wigan (h), Hull (a) and Huddersfield (h) and Norwich should again be among the leading pack.
Watford @ 7.50
Rob Edwards led Forest Green to the League Two title last season before taking over from Roy Hodgson at Vicarage Road in May.
He has been handed a tricky start to the campaign with home games against Sheffield United and Burnley sandwiched by a trip to West Brom.
The Hornets finished second behind Norwich at this level two seasons ago and keeping the likes of Emmanuel Dennis and Ismaila Sarr will be crucial to their hopes.
Sheffield United @ 10.00
Paul Heckingbottom transformed Sheffield United after replacing Chris Wilder in the Bramall Lane hot-seat last season.
He guided the Blades to the play-off semi-finals, losing to Nottingham Forest on penalties, but they have kept the majority of the squad together.
They head to relegated Watford for their opening game and then have a date with Wilder at Middlesbrough after a home clash with Millwall before promoted Sunderland visit.
Middlesbrough @ 11.00
Just two wins from their final eight games saw Middlesbrough miss out on the play-offs after Wilder had raised expectations having taken over from Neil Warnock in November.
Home games against West Brom and former club Sheffield United come either side of a trip to QPR with a trip to relegated Watford their last fixture in August.
Wilder led the Blades to promotion to the Premier League in 2018/19 but he will need to strengthen his squad if he is to mount a similar challenge with Boro.
West Brom @ 11.00
Steve Bruce has been promoted four times from the second tier – joint most alongside Warnock – and will be targeting another one.
The Baggies finished 10th last season, eight points adrift of the play-off places, with Bruce having failed to win any of his first five games after replacing Valerien Ismael in February.
A squad overhaul is required at The Hawthorns and that could impact on their promotion prospects while their start of Middlesbrough (a), Watford (h) and Blackburn (a) will be another test.
Burnley @ 13.00
Kompany will be hoping to lead Burnley back to the Premier League at the first attempt after being named the permanent successor to Sean Dyche.
The former Manchester City captain has been handed a difficult start with a trip to Huddersfield being followed by a home clash with Luton before heading to Watford.
Burnley were crowned champions when they were last in the second tier in 2015/16 but they have already lost James Tarkowski and England goalkeeper Nick Pope has joined Newcastle.
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