Luton Town have the toughest start to the Championship season - on paper at least.
The Hatters’ opening six opponents had an average finishing position of 27.8 in the English footballing pyramid last season. That works out as 7.8th in the Championship - the highest of any club in the division.
Blackburn have the next toughest start in the Championship. Rovers’ opening six matches - which takes us to the first international break - are against teams with an average finishing position of 8.0 last season.
Derby have the next toughest (8.2) followed by Millwall (8.2) and Reading (9.0).
Bristol City (10.8) who start the season followed by a trip to Birmingham, home to QPR and then three matches against play-off contenders from last season: Derby County, Hull City and Middlesbrough, although all three are set for difficult summers in the transger market.
Sheffield Wednesday have the division's easiest start to the season
The Owls could get off to a flier, with their opening six matches being against teams who had an average finishing league position of 20.8 last season.
Middlesbrough have the next easiest start (16.3) followed by Barnsley (16.3), Charlton (16.2) and West Brom (16.0).
The averages were worked out by taking every team's finishing position in the English football pyramid.
From 1st to 92nd for Premier League and EFL clubs and 93rd and 95th for the National League teams.These were then averaged out for the opening six opponents of every club.That average was then converted to its relevant position in the league.
Average league position of opening six opponents
Luton Town - 7.8
Blackburn Rovers - 8.0
Derby County - 8.2
Millwall - 8.2
Reading - 9.0
Nottingham Forest - 10.7
Queens Park Rangers - 10.7
Bristol City - 10.8
Huddersfield Town - 11.2
Wigan Athletic - 11.2
Fulham - 11.5
Leeds United - 12.0
Swansea City - 12.0
Brentford - 12.2
Cardiff City - 12.8
Birmingham City - 13.3
Hull City - 14.2
Preston North End - 14.3
Stoke City - 14.3
West Bromwich Albion - 16.0
Charlton Athletic - 16.2
Barnsley - 16.3
Middlesbrough - 16.3
Sheffield Wednesday - 20.8
