EFL Fixtures: Stoke to begin at Bielsa’s Leeds United

Last week the Premier League revealed their upcoming fixtures, and this time around it’s the EFL’s turn.

The 72 clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two now know who they will be playing over the 2018-19 season.

There’s plenty to mull over, as Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion fall into the second tier, Sunderland drop into the third, and Tranmere Rovers and Macclesfield move up from the National League.

Here’s your one-stop league-by-league lowdown…

Championship

After a 10-year stint in the Premier League, Stoke are back in the Championship. And the Potters have been given a fiendish task.

They’ll begin their campaign away to Leeds United at Elland Road in what will be the Whites’ first game under Marcelo Bielsa.

As for West Brom, they begin at home to Bolton Wanderers. The Baggies will also play rivals Birmingham City on 15^th September and 30^th March, plus Aston Villa on 8^th October and 16^th February.

Swansea City face a tricky start too, as they head to Sheffield United.

Frank Lampard’s managerial career begins with a trip to Berkshire to face Reading.

Lampard’s first taste of the East Midlands derby comes at Pride Park on 15^th December, before a return trip to the City Ground on 23^rd February.

Newly promoted trio Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and Rotherham will begin against Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich and Brentford respectively.

League One

Sunderland’s life in the third tier will start with a home game against Charlton Athletic. The Black Cats head to Accrington Stanley on 8^th December, and conclude their campaign away at Southend United.

As for Accy, they begin their first ever season in the third tier at home to Gillingham.

Their visit to the Stadium of Light will be on 16^th February, and they’ll end it with an early May trip down to Portsmouth.

A trip to Pompey is the first game of the season for newly-promoted Luton Town. The Hatters’ first home game of the season will be at home to Sunderland.

Wycombe Wanderers will start against Blackpool, while Coventry City’s return to League One sees them begin at home to Scunthorpe United.

And Joey Barton will make his first foray into management when Fleetwood Town host AFC Wimbledon on the opening weekend.

League Two

In League Two, National League champions Macclesfield Town will commence their return to the Football League with a trip to Swindon Town.

Play-off champions Tranmere Rovers will also start on the road, as they head to Stevenage.

After 14 seasons in League One, Oldham will begin life in League Two at home to fellow relegated side MK Dons.

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