Championship fixtures 2019-20: Bristol City vs Leeds United the pick of opening weekend

The fixtures for the 2019-20 Championship season were released on Thursday, giving fans in England’s second tier a clear idea of how their year ahead will be shaped.

Luton Town, champions of League One last year, will host Middlesbrough in a Friday evening game to kick the season off on 2 August.

There are then nine games on Saturday, with Nottingham Forest against West Bromwich Albion kicking off at 5.30pm in the televised game.

The pick of the opening weekend looks to be Bristol City’s game against promotion favourites Leeds United on the Sunday.

Championship opening weekend fixtures 2019-20

Friday 2 August

Luton Town vs Middlesbrough (7.35pm)

Saturday 3 August

Barnsley vs Fulham (3pm)
Blackburn Rovers vs Charlton Athletic (3pm)
Brentford vs Birmingham City (3pm)
Millwall vs Preston North End (3pm)
Reading vs Sheffield Wednesday (3pm)
Stoke City vs Queens Park Rangers (3pm)
Swansea City vs Hull City (3pm)
Wigan Athletic vs Cardiff City (3pm)
Nottingham Forest vs West Bromwich Albion (5.30pm)

Sunday 4 August

Bristol City vs Leeds United (4.30pm)

Monday 5 August

Huddersfield Town vs Derby County (7.45pm)

Marcelo Bielsa’s side led the way for much of last year before finally finishing third and losing an agonising play-off semi-final to Derby County.

Nevertheless, they will fancy their chances of going one better this season with their manager committing to another year at the helm and the players having another full summer to adapt to his exacting methods.

The game against Lee Johnson’s men will give fans a clearer indication of their side’s progress. Bristol City were strong candidates for the play-offs last year and will be hoping to improve on their eighth place finish.

Then to finish things off, Huddersfield Town, relegated from the Premier League last term, will host Derby County who narrowly lost out in the play-off final to Aston Villa.

Pick up a copy of Friday’s i for a full guide to the fixtures for every EFL club.