The Championship opening weekend

Last updated : 01 August 2017 By Michael Morris

C:WindowsTempphp989A.tmpThe new season is almost here. The Championship starts on Friday with two matches followed by nine on Saturday and one on Sunday.

Relegated Sunderland start their campaign on Friday eveing with a home match v Derby County, live on Sky Sports, ko 7:45pm.

The other Friday game is Nottingham Forest v Millwall. That game has been moved from Saturday to avoid clashing with Nottinghamshire's T20 Blast fixture at Trent Bridge on Saturday 5 August against Durham.

Cardiff start their campaign at Burton Albion on Saturday afternoon. Last season this fixture, a 2 - 0 win for the home side, resulted in Paul Trollope's dismissal. Hopefully this time around the outcome will be a lot more favourable.

The other two teams relegated from the Premier League, Middlesbrough and Hull City both start away from home at Wolves and Aston Villa respectively.

Fixtures

Fri 4th August
Nottingham Forest v Millwall – 7.45pm
Sunderland v Derby - 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports

Sat 5th August
Bristol City v Barnsley - 3pm
Burton Albion v Cardiff City - 3pm
Fulham v Norwich City - 3pm
Ipswich Town v Birmingham City - 3pm
Preston North End v Sheffield Wednesday - 3pm
Queens Park Rangers v Reading - 3pm
Sheffield United v Brentford - 3pm
Wolves v Middlesbrough - 3pm
Aston Villa v Hull City - 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports

Sun 6th August
Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United - 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports