Birmingham City 1-1 Ipswich

A meeting of two teams who are, in many ways, mirror images of each other. Ipswich spent many years going nowhere in the Championship before being relegated to League 1, attracting new American owners, and then achieving back-to-back promotions. The PL proved to be a step too far, but Ipswich enter this season in a stronger position than at any time in recent history. Birmingham are currently midway through the same American saviour arc, although it remains to be seen whether much publicised owners Brady and Wagner will be able to take Birmingham to the next level. Birmingham had assembled a squad that was egregiously expensive for League 1, but as a result very well equipped for the Championship. Ipswich meanwhile have struggled to add new faces during the summer, but by the end of the window are likely to have a squad very much capable of mounting a promotion push.

On this showing, Brady and Wagner's money appears to have been well spent. Brum controlled the majority of the match, and deservedly went ahead in the 55th minute. New signing Kyogo Furuhashi hit the post, but it bounced out kindly to Jay Stansfield, who was in the right place at the right time and duly slotted home. If there is one criticism you can have of Birmingham in this match, it's that they didn’t extend their lead, and this ultimately came back to bite them. Ipswich were awarded a controversial penalty in the 95th minute, which former Rover George Hirst converted to steal a point for the Tractor Boys. A harsh outcome for Big Club, but a reminder to them that one goal is never enough.

Charlton 1-0 Watford

Charlton have had a bad time of it in recent years, but this is another team on the up again with shiny new leaders at the helm. They’ve spent 8 out of the last 9 seasons in League 1, but they are back in the second-tier with renewed optimism, having come up via the playoffs. Watford meanwhile had established themselves as a Premier League team for the second half of the 2010s, before being relegated in the 2019/20 season. Despite initially going straight back up in the 2020/21 season, they have struggled after immediate relegation in 2021/22. Last season’s finish of 14th continues the trend of mid-table finishes that have become the norm for the Hornets since returning to the second tier.

If this match was any indication, Watford aren’t going to be pulling up any trees this season either. Charlton were by far the better team, but it looked like the match was going to end in a goalless draw before a 94th minute six-yard tap-in from Harvey Knibbs handed the Addicts all three points on the opening day. With only a single shot on target, Watford have much to improve on.

Coventry 0-0 Hull

Coventry have spent the last few seasons at the right end of the Championship table, but the playoffs haven’t been kind to them. Three seasons ago they were a penalty shootout away from the promised land, but lost to Luton - who are now in League 1. Last season they didn’t get past the semis, losing to eventual winners Sunderland. You also may or may not be aware that they are managed by Frank Lampard. The appointment was kept low key. Hull meanwhile looked like they were heading for the trap door last season, but a late rally meant that they survived on the final day on goal difference at the expense of Luton. Manager Ruben Selles got the sack for his efforts, having only been in situ for around six months. Bosnian Sergej Jakirovic now takes the reins for the Tigers, managing in England for the first time.

The Sky Blues probably deserved to win this one, but they couldn’t find the breakthrough. They haven’t won their opening match in four seasons, though, so perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Hull will definitely come away the happier of the two teams.

Southampton 2-1 Wrexham

Southampton bombed out of the Premier League last season in dismal fashion, at one point looking like they were going to break Derby’s record for least amount of points accrued in a season. They ended up avoiding taking that unwanted title, but nonetheless it was a very demoralising 24/25 for the Saints. They brought in much-hyped young English manager Will Still to lead this season’s Championship charge. Wrexham have of course been on a very steady rise - yet another club with new, minted American owners - but the Championship will be their toughest challenge yet by some distance.

Things were looking good for the Welsh side. A 22nd minute penalty put them ahead, but much like their fellow promotees Birmingham, they will rue not netting a second despite having chances to do so. Southampton began applying pressure towards the end, with the introduction of Mateus Fernandes and Ryan Manning  providing the impetus that led to goals in the 90th and 96th minute. Wrexham certainly have nothing to be ashamed of, and their performance here suggested they will be very competitive in the division this season.

Middlesbrough 1-0 Swansea

Michael Carrick’s three-year tenure at Boro came to an end last season, as one win in their final six games saw them finish 10th. Former Luton boss on Edwards was drafted in as a replacement. After seven straight seasons in the PL, Swansea were relegated in 2017/18 and never returned. Last season they finished 11th, having finished mid-table for the last four seasons. Alan Sheehan is currently in charge, after impressing as caretaker boss last season following the departure of Luke Williams in February.

As for this match, not exactly thrilling. 9 shots between the teams. Expected xG of 0.34 for Boro and 0.09 for Swansea. Doesn’t seem like either team were ready for the season to begin, but defender Daniel Fry headed in from a corner to give Boro the three points. It was Fry’s first goal in three years and only his third in something like 270 apps. Swansea will hope for a different opponent for their opening game next season, as they lost their opening match at the Riverside to Boro last season as well.

Norwich 1-2 Millwall

Norwich had a largely disappointing 24/25 campaign, finishing 13th. They’ve been yo-yoing between the PL and the Championship for much of the last 15 years or so, but the last three years have proved difficult for them to replicate previous successes in this division. Former Bristol City boss Liam Manning took charge at Carrow Road this summer, after Danish manager Johannes Hoff Thorup had been sacked in April. Millwall meanwhile have been pretty steady in the Championship over the past eight seasons or so, generally finishing between 8th and 13th. They haven’t quite been able to get into the playoffs, but they’ll be hoping experienced campaigner Alex Neil - hired in December 2024 - can get them there.

It was a solid start for Neil, and an opening day for Norwich that suggests their problems are far from over. It was the first time Millwall had won at Carrow Road since 1968, with a goal from Macaulay Langstaff seven minutes from time securing the victory for the Lions. Norwich had been fortunate with their equaliser - Millwall’s keeper punting the ball against Josh Sergeant and then watching in despair at the ball rebounded into the net - and Millwall ultimately deserved their win. Having turned down an £18m bid for Josh Sergeant this summer, and having brought in 11 new players, one imagines the Canaries will be looking for quick results from Manning.

Oxford 0-1 Portsmouth

Both of these clubs were tipped to go right back down to League 1 last season - especially Oxford - but the odds were defied as both teams survived to play another season in the Championship. One imagines it will be another difficult season for each team, though.

Portsmouth struggled on the road last season, so they’ll be happy with a win here. Adrian Segecic arrived on a free transfer from the A-League, having finished joint top-scorer playing for Sydney FC, and he made an instant impact here by opening his Championship account on his debut. The referees were booed off at half time and full time, so one assumes the crowd did not appreciate the officiating.

QPR 1-1 Preston

QPR have had some worrying times over the past couple of seasons, but found a manager in Marti Cifuentes who had the nous to get them out of major trouble in 2023/24 and manage a 15th place finish in 24/25. Things seemed to have started going pear-shaped in 2025 as QPR lost 10 out of 18 games, but that didn’t deter Leicester. When the Foxes came calling it was inevitable that Cifuentes would depart, having already been placed on gardening leave before the final game of the season. Former Rennes boss Julien Stephan was hired to fill the void. Preston meanwhile had a nightmare second half of 24/25 which plunged them into an unexpected relegation battle, only being assured of safety on the final day of the season. Despite this concerning turn of events, Preston have stuck with manager Paul Heckingbottom, who was appointed one year ago.

A goal just before the break from QPR was cancelled out by a goal just after the break from the bloke who took a bite out of Beck last season, and the points were shared. One imagines both teams will be happy enough with getting some points on the board.

Stoke 3-1 Derby

Stoke have been pretty rubbish since exiting the Premier League in 2017/18. At least Swansea had a couple of playoff finishes before becoming a mid-table side. Stoke’s finishes since relegation read 16th, 15th, 14th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th. Whatever amount of parachute money was spent on managers and players was certainly wasted. Former Coventry manager Mark Robins is currently in charge of the Potters. Derby looked absolute certainties to go down last season, before John Eustace decided he fancied a relegation battle with Derby more than a playoff chase with Rovers. Eustace turned things around for the Rams and they were confirmed as safe on the final day of the season.

The teams looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw, with former Rovers’ loanee Lewis Baker equalising for the Potters in the 70th minute, but more stoppage time drama as 95th and 99th minute goals sealed Derby’s fate and gave Stoke all three points. Another former loanee of Rovers, Sorba Thomas, scored the third for Stoke. The Potters fully deserved their victory, having 12 shots to Derby’s 3.

West Brom 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

WBA are another team who had significant PL pedigree in the 2010s, but have found themselves in the second tier for most of the 2020s thus far. They’ve finished either 9th or 10th in three of the last four seasons since being relegated, and it only becomes tougher for them from this point onwards. Tony Mowbray’s short, ill-fated tenure as Baggies’ boss was ended in April, and in June they appointed Ryan Mason, giving the former Spurs’ player his first managerial post. Valerin Ismael arrived at Rovers at the end of February, replacing John Eustace. A number of defeats saw Rovers fall out of playoff contention, and although a good run of form at the very end of the season improved the situation, it was not enough to get into the playoffs as Rovers yet again just missed out.

The match wasn’t much of a spectacle, with a 15th minute goal from Isaac Price enough to give WBA the win. Although both teams ended the game with a similar amount of shots on goal, Rovers having just one shot on target meant they were unlikely to get anything out of this match. On this showing both teams still have plenty to improve on.
 

Sheffield United 1-4 Bristol City

Sheffield United’s 90 point haul from last season would usually have been enough to go up automatically. However, the two teams above them made even lighter work of the division, and therefore the Blades ended up in the playoffs. They lost the final to 4th placed Sunderland and Chris Wilder subsequently left. Recently sacked Hull City boss Ruben Selles was given the responsibility of getting Sheff Utd up at the second time of asking. Bristol City finished last season in 6th place, but meekly bowed out of the playoffs in the semi finals. Nonetheless, it was their first Championship playoff finish in 17 years. With Liam Manning departing for his boyhood club Norwich in the summer, former Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber was brought in to lead their campaign for the 25/26 season.

Questions had been raised about Sheffield United failing to replace departing centre-backs during the summer, and those questions proved more than pertinent as the Blades suffered an embarrassing home defeat to kick off the season in the worst way possible. Sheffield United were perfectly competitive, but their defence was a mess and unless they strengthen in this area, one struggles to see how they even come close to last season’s points total. Bristol City meanwhile will be delighted with an opening day victory which puts them top of the division.

Leicester 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday

After comfortably getting out of the Championship in 23/24, Leicester found themselves back again after just one season. Former QPR boss Marti Cifuentes is the man tasked with helping the Foxes’ expensive squad once again bounce back at the first time of asking - although his preparations surely won’t have been helped by Leicester not making a decision on van Nistelrooy until the end of June. Sheffield Wednesday are suffering all sorts of turmoil, with players getting paid late and many having left as a result, manager Danny Rohl departing 12 days before the season began, a stand being closed due to health and safety concerns, and a severe fracturing of the relationship between the owner and the fans which is most certainly irreversible. Rohl’s assistant Henrik Petersen has been given the unenviable task of trying to keep Wednesday in the division this season with a threadbare squad and a transfer embargo in place.

This is the Championship, though, and anyone expecting the above to mean an easy game for Leicester hasn’t been paying attention. The Owls’ players gave a spirited performance, with a senior squad of just 15 players available for selection. They were, incredibly, a goal ahead until the 54th minute when Vestergaard equalised for Leicester. Despite seeing captain Barry Bannan sent off for a second yellow on 76 minutes - something Wednesday could really have done without - it wasn’t until the 87th minute that maligned Belgian Wout Faes headed home to make it 2-1 and secure three points for Leicester. The defender had been booed onto the pitch by his own fans in the 70th minute. Foxes fans may be concerned by their struggle to overcome a team in severe crisis, but will hope it was just first game rust and better performances will come. Wednesday fans meanwhile will be heartened by their players’ performance, but know that with such a tiny squad, and engulfed in chaos, they are surely doomed this season.