Championship - 6th August

All Fixtures are 3PM unless stated

Brighton (10/11) v Doncaster (7/2)

Stepping up from League One, Brighton are only a tentative pick but there’s little to like about Doncaster, who only escaped relegation by a short head last season and have to travel to what’s sure to be a raucous home side in their new stadium.

Advice: 1 pt Brighton (10/11 Bet365)

Bristol City (6/4) v Ipswich (12/5)

In what’s likely to be a real game of attack with both teams having strengthened up over the summer, the best option might be the draw. Bristol City might dig in at home if Ipswich have a superior advantage and this won’t be easy for either side.

Advice: 1 pt Draw (12/5 Paddy Power)

Burnley (5/6) v Watford (10/3)

Some feel that Watford could be heading for the drop having lost Golden Boot winner Danny Graham to Swansea and while that’s probably not the case, Burnley could be the faster starters.

Advice: 2 pts Burnley to score first (4/5 VCBet)

Derby (7/4) v Birmingham (2)

It’s easy to understand the boom and gloom at Birmingham following their relegation but last season’s Carling Cup winners still have a solid enough rearguard (Carr, Caludwell, Dann, Ridgewell)to trouble Derby, who lost times on their own turf than everyone bar the relegated trio last season.

Advice: 1 pt First goal after 26 mins (evs Paddy Power)

Nottingham Forest (8/11) v Barnsley (5)

Nottingham Forest will be widely expected to win but Steve McClaren’s opening day record makes for worrying reading (8 points from last 7 seasons) and Barnsley might make Forest struggle.

Advice: 1 pt Barnsley –Draw Double Chance (5/4 Coral)

Reading (19/20) v Millwall (18/5)

Having kept Shane Long and assembled a relatively strong squad, Championship selections Reading are a fairly confident selection to beat Milwall. The Royals were slow starters last season but it’s assumed that they’ll be in good shape to start this campaign with automatic promotion the aim.

Advice: 2 pts Reading (19/20 Bet365)

Southampton (5/4) v Leeds (3/1)  (5.25, SS2HD)

There’s a very confident feel behind Southampton at home, who always looked to good for League 1 in the eyes of many, but this is a tricky opening task against a team unlucky to have missed out on the play offs last year. That said, with Leeds missing Somma and Becchio Southampton might have the early edge.

Advice: 1 pt Southampton to score first (11/10 Blue Sq)