The 2022/23 Championship fixtures were released today (June 23) and Birmingham City and West Brom can now start planning for their respective opening day games at the end of July.
Birmingham travel to Luton Town and will be hoping for a similar outcome to last year’s trip to Kenilworth Road which saw them thump the Hatters 5-0.
Albion on the other hand will head to the North East to take on one of the Championship’s fancied teams, Middlesbrough, in what is sure to provide an early marker for the season ahead.
The two Birmingham teams couldn’t be further apart in terms of expectation for the campaign ahead.
A constant cloud of uncertainty is leaving Blues fans fearing the worst whilst a Steve Bruce overhaul at the Hawthorns has Albion fans dreaming of a return to the Premier League.
That seems to be the case in the marketplace too, with many bookmakers tipping the complete opposite outcomes in relegation and promotion for the two.
Here’s the latest predicted table following the Championship fixture release and things have got even bleaker for the blue half of Birmingham.
5. Middlesbrough - 12/1
Chris Wilder's side narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season Photo: CameraSport - Dave Howarth
6. Burnley - 14/1
Vincent Kompany is the man tasked with guiding the Clarets back to the top flight. Photo: Martin Rickett
7. Huddersfield Town - 16/1
Carlos Corberan's side were beaten by Nottingham Forest in the play-off final last season. Photo: CameraSport - Alex Dodd
8. Stoke City - 20/1
Stoke are fancied to be in the mix despite a disappointing campaign last time out. Photo: CameraSport - Mick Walker