The full schedule of Championship fixtures has now been confirmed, and planning for the upcoming campaign will soon be in full swing.

Swansea City travel to Middlesbrough on the opening day, while Cardiff City host Sunderland, raising the curtain on what promises to be another gripping Championship season.

Cardiff City - BBC Sport

However, according to the bookies, both sides are tipped to struggle over the coming campaign. Cardiff are currently priced at 40/1 with some bookmakers, placing them level with Preston North End, and ahead of just two sides in Plymouth Argyle and newly-promoted Oxford United, who are clearly expected to be part of the relegation conversation. The suggestion here, then, is that the Bluebirds will be pitched into a relegation battle despite hopes of a play-off push after the decision to give Erol Bulut a new contract

After a disappointing campaign last term, the bookies aren’t all that enamoured by Swansea’s chances either, with Luke Williams’ side priced

At the top, Leeds United have been backed as main title contenders and favourites, having missed out on promotion via the play-offs last season.

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Newly-relegated Burnley, unsurprisingly, are also considered to be in the promotion picture at 13/2, while Luton Town (12/1) and Sheffield United (14/1) are also tipped to be in and around the top six.

Interestingly, despite finishing eighth last season, Middlesbrough are quite heavily fancied, coming in at 12/1 joint third favourites, while Coventry City, Norwich City and and West Brom are among the other teams that could be pushing for a promotion charge.