The Championship season kicks off on Friday night with an intriguing contest that pits two former colleagues – and two Champions League winners – against each other at the Madejski Stadium. Paul Clement will be leading out Reading against one of his former clubs, while Frank Lampard will be taking charge of Derby in the first competitive fixture of his managerial career. Derby have enjoyed a positive pre-season under Lampard, beating both Wolves and Southampton in the last fortnight to ease him into the new job. Clement’s side, however, have not been blessed with such a productive summer, having failed to win any of their six pre-season games.
Any way you look at it, the fixture list has thrown up a fascinating start to the season but, then again, the Championship should be consistently compelling this season. Marcelo Bielsa has joined Leeds after his topsy-turvy time at Lille. Graham Potter has swapped Sweden for Wales to take charge of Swansea City. Tony Pulis will be relishing his chance to face Stoke City, West Brom and Bristol City, three of his former sides. And Darren Moore has been given an opportunity to build on the work he started with West Brom last season.
It’s set up to be an absorbing campaign. How do you think your team will perform? Tell us in the form below and we will feature a selection of your responses on the site later this week.
