• Promoted Birmingham entertain relegated Ipswich in the season-opener on Friday

• Southampton host Wrexham among 10 games on Saturday

• Leicester entertain Sheffield Wednesday to round off the weekend on Sunday

We look ahead to all 12 games and have a score prediction for each one.

Birmingham vs Ipswich (Friday, 8pm)

Birmingham collected 111 points when winning League One last season and they have flexed their financial muscle again.

Relegated Ipswich pose a tough first test but the Blues could be up to the task at a buzzing St Andrew's.

Score prediction: Birmingham 2-1 Ipswich

Charlton vs Watford (Saturday, 12.30pm)

League One play-off winners Charlton will be delighted to be back in the Championship after a five-year absence, but they face a difficult opening match at home to Watford, who look set for a stronger campaign this time around.

Score prediction: Charlton 0-2 Watford

Coventry vs Hull (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Frank Lampard's Coventry caught the eye when finishing fifth last season and they have an ideal opportunity to get their first three points on the board when they host Hull, who just avoided the drop and look set to struggle again.

Score prediction: Coventry 3-0 Hull

Southampton vs Wrexham (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Southampton and Wrexham were two divisions apart last season and it could show in the Saints' home opener. The Welsh side will have far easier fixtures in which to try to establish themselves in the second tier than this one.

Score prediction: Southampton 3-1 Wrexham

Middlesbrough vs Swansea (Saturday, 3pm)

Middlesbrough and Swansea finished 10th and 11th respectively in the Championship last season and there might not be much between the sides in their opening clash at the Riverside.

Score prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Swansea

Norwich vs Millwall (Saturday, 3pm)

Norwich have a new manager and a much-changed squad this season and a more established Millwall side, who finished five places above them last term, could be facing the Canaries at the right time.

Score prediction: Norwich 0-1 Millwall

Oxford vs Portsmouth (Saturday, 3pm)

Both these teams achieved their goal of staying up after being promoted the previous season but neither looks likely to be much higher up the table this time.

Oxford's home results were far superior to their efforts on the road last season and they could edge this contest.

Score prediction: Oxford 1-0 Portsmouth

QPR vs Preston (Saturday, 3pm)

Preston failed to win any of their last eight league games last season and they could struggle to get off the mark at the first attempt when they visit QPR.

The home side are under new management and have the potential to be a top-half team this time around.

Score prediction: QPR 2-0 Preston

Stoke vs Derby (Saturday, 3pm)

Both these sides look potential improvers after finishing 18th and 19th last season, but Stoke seem more likely to put together a more successful campaign and can start off with a home win.

Score prediction: Stoke 2-1 Derby

West Brom vs Blackburn (Saturday, 3pm)

West Brom and Blackburn finished in the top 10 last season but they could take a step back this time.

The Baggies suffered only four home league losses but one of those was against Rovers, who are capable of picking up a point from their first game.

Score prediction: West Brom 1-1 Blackburn

Sheffield United vs Bristol City (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Sheffield United hammered Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate in last season's play-off semi-finals and look far more likely of the two sides to be in the promotion chase this time around.

They can extend their unbeaten run against the Robins to 10 games.

Score prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Bristol City

Leicester vs Sheffield Wednesday (Sunday, 4.30pm)

Leicester were relegated last season but Sheffield Wednesday have far greater problems given the club's financial struggles.

The Foxes should be capable of a comfortable win in their first game under new manager Marti Cifuentes.

Score prediction: Leicester 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday.