The Championship opening weekend fixture schedule and preview Visit Bet365 Save For Later Posted by Jaymes Monte 14 Aug 2012 A man wearing the new Cardiff City home shirt displays the newly designed crest prior to the pre-season match between Cardiff City and Newcastle United at Cardiff City Stadium on August 11, 2012 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images) Share: 0 0 React: Amazing Funny Check this out Great Value Really? This Sucks Top Tip Free Money Related Articles See all The Championship news The race for a Premier League golden ticket begins this weekend with Bolton and Leicester kicking off the season as favourites for promotion. Cardiff and Huddersfield kick off proceedings on Friday as they meet at the Cardiff City Stadium for the Welsh club’s first game following their re-branding. The Bluebirds will, from this season onwards, now where red as their home kit. Malky Mackay’s side are the 10/11 favourites to kick off their new era with a win, while Huddersfield are 3/1 to begin life in the Championship with three points. The early kick off on Saturday sees Wolves visit Elland Road to take on Leeds in a fixture between two fallen giants of the game. Home advantage means that it is Leeds who are narrow favourites with the bookmakers, but a closely contested game is expected. The remaining 10 games are all traditional 3pm kick offs. Leicester kick off their title challenge with a home game against relegation-threatened Peterborough, while Bolton are away to Burnley. Nottingham Forest begin an era of Kuwaiti rule against Bristol City, Millwall host Blackpool, Blackburn go to Ipswich and Hull host Brighton. Opening Weekend Championship Fixtures Friday 17th August 19:45 Cardiff v Huddersfield Saturday 18th August 12:45 Leeds v Wolves 15:00 Barnsley v Middlesbrough 15:00 Birmingham v Charlton 15:00 Burnley v Bolton 15:00 Crystal Palace v Watford 15:00 Derby v Sheff Wed 15:00 Hull v Brighton 15:00 Ipswich v Blackburn 15:00 Leicester v Peterborough 15:00 Millwall v Blackpool 15:00 Nottm Forest v Bristol City Read our Bet365 review Get your £200 free bet from bet365 now Like Like All The Championship News Recent The Championship News Articles Next Brighton manager odds - Di Matteo favourite to replace Poyet17 May 2013Darren Ferguson and Roberto Di Matteo are favourites to be the next permanent Brighton manager afte Steve McClaren odds slashed for Wolves job13 May 2013Steve McClaren is the new favourite with some bookmakers to become the new head coach of Wolves, di Owen Coyle odds slashed for Wolves manager job10 May 2013A big gamble is taking place on Owen Coyle to be named the next permanent manager of Wolves, who wi Marc Bircham hot favourite for Millwall job10 May 2013QPR coach Marc Bircham is the hot favourite to be given his first managerial role at Millwall FC as Next Doncaster Rovers manager betting - Dean Saunders odds slashed to return07 May 2013Dean Saunders could be set for a dramatic return to Doncaster Rovers after being sacked as manager Next Millwall FC manager betting - Eddie Howe favourite to replace Kenny Jackett07 May 2013Kenny Jackett has resigned as manager of Millwall FC, citing "the time is right for a new challenge Adam Le Fondre next club odds - Leeds United set to move for Reading striker06 May 2013Reading FC striker Adam Le Fondre could be set to link up with his former manager Brian McDermott a Championship playoff fixtures - Watford face Leicester City and Brighton take on Crystal Palace07 May 2013The four teams that are to compete in the nPower Championship playoffs have been confirmed with Wat Next Doncaster Rovers manager betting - Paul Dickov set to replace Brian Flynn03 May 2013Former Oldham Athletic boss Paul Dickov looks set to become the next permanent Doncaster Rovers man More Stories Recent Articles Next Millwall FC manager betting - Markus Babbel backed off the boards24 May 2013Millwall FC are set to appoint former Liverpool FC defender Markus Babbel as their new manager to r Championship play-off final free bets and promotions23 May 2013Fancy a free bet on the Championship play-off final between Watford and Crystal Palace on Monday? 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