Wrexham will start their first Championship marketing campaign in over 40 years away at former Premier League aspect Southampton.
After changing into the first-ever aspect in English soccer to attain three consecutive promotions, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny’s Wrexham face a troublesome begin to life within the second tier with an away journey to Milwall and video games in opposition to Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion of their opening 5 video games.
Birmingham Metropolis, who’re co-owned by Tom Brady, face Ipswich City within the Championship curtain-raiser on Aug. 9. The League One champions then tackle Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United, Leicester Metropolis and Stoke Metropolis of their first 5 video games.
Wrexham host Birmingham on Oct. 4 in a fixture dubbed “The Hollywood derby.” The return fixture on April 11 at St. Andrews may probably have promotion implications.
Elsewhere, newly promoted Charlton host Watford on the opening weekend whereas Sheffield United will look to bounce again from their playoff ultimate disappointment in opposition to Bristol Metropolis on the opening weekend below new supervisor Rubén Sellés.
The relegated Premier League sides — Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich — will all be focusing on swift returns to the highest flight. Leicester will likely be anticipated to start out effectively as they tackle Championship strugglers Oxford United and Preston North Finish of their first 5 earlier than an intriguing conflict with Frank Lampard’s Coventry Metropolis on Sept. 20.
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich face a difficult begin to their promotion push as they’ll play Birmingham, Southampton and Sheffield United of their first 5 fixtures.
Southampton begin the brand new season below new supervisor, Will Nonetheless, 32, who must cope with journeys to Ipswich and Watford after internet hosting Wrexham to start out his first season in English soccer.
The primary South Coast derby of the season between Southampton and Portsmouth takes place on Sept. 13 at St. Mary’s with the return fixture set for Jan. 24 at Fratton Park.
The primary East Anglian derby is carded for Oct. 4 as Ipswich welcome rivals Norwich to Portman Street.