The wait is almost over as the Reading and Derby players make their way out of the tunnel.

Among the interested spectators at the Madejski Stadium are Derby boss Frank Lampard's uncle, Harry Redknapp, and Wales boss Ryan Giggs.

Although rights restrictions prevent us from bringing you full match commentary of tonight's EFL opener, you can tune your radios to either BBC Radio Berkshire or BBC Radio Derby if you're in the local area to hear coverage.

And remember BBC local radio stations up and down the land will be following your EFL club this season. You won't miss a bit of the key action.

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It's been a pretty successful first pre-season in football management for Frank Lampard with four wins out of five, the last of those a 2-1 victory against last season's Championship winners Wolves on Saturday.

But, the former England midfielder told BBC Radio Derby that he's more than aware those results willl count for nothing before the real business kicks-off this evening.

"There's excitement and I'm pleased with that in the build-up to a season as hopefully there's a feel-good factor around this club," he said.

"But, we all know that once things get started, it's going to be all about results and that will be the important thing.

"I think the work we've been doing on the training ground has translated out to the pitch in pre-season, which is a nice place to be.

"But, I still think there's more room for improvement."

Image source, PA

Paul Clement found himself plunged into a relegation battle when he took the job at Reading in March.

Just two wins from those remaining eight games was enough to keep the Royals up, but the former Derby manager will be desperate to kick-off this season with a convincing result and performance.

"I'm really excited for the game, as soon as the fixtures came out, I was looking forward to it," Clement told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"It's an exciting fixture for many reasons. We're opening up the Championship, it's televised and I'm looking forward to putting pre-season aside and getting on with what it's really about.

"That's competitive games where there's three points to play for every week."

With kick-off looming now, let's remind you of those starting line-ups.

One interested spectator this evening is former Reading striker Simon Church.

Church, who scored 22 goals in 104 league appearances for the Royals, was forced to retire at the age of 29 in May because of a hip injury.

Frank Lampard makes his competitive managerial debut tonight, but how will he fare in his first job?

As mentioned, there's a number of new names in management across the EFL, who will make the biggest impression of those?

Send us our thoughts via social media, using #bbcefl

It's not just Frank Lampard set for his managerial debut this weekend, there's a host of new faces preparing to take their first steps into the dugout.

What's in store for these fresh-faced individuals and what they need to know to ensure they stay away from the sack?

Owen Phillips and Brendon Mitchell have spoken to a number of managers to find out their tips to staying in the both the chairman and supporters' good books.

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If you find yourself saying that phrase a few times while watching this weekend's EFL, then it's probably true.

Why not test your knowledge of how many EFL players were in Russia for their respective nations this summer by taking our special quiz.

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at Madejski Stadium

Image source, Rex Features

Good evening from the Royal County of Berkshire where the weather is more akin to a week of Royal Ascot than league football.

Highs of 32 degrees centigrade in the afternoon here have seen various members of the written press run rough shod over any suggestion of a dress code and don their shorts (not me I hasten to add!).

Mind you, most of those who have taken their seats well before kick-off have followed the same mantra by the looks of it.

Despite one of the longest heatwaves in recent times, the Madejski Stadium pitch looks incredibly well fed, lush green and immaculate - almost like the greens at Augusta.

All set up for an entertaining game of passing football then?

Image source, Rex Features

Mason Mount may only be the tender age of 19, but the attacking midfielder has already won rave reviews for his potential.

Frank Lampard has plundered his former club Chelsea to bring in Mount on a season-long loan after an impressive spell last season for Vitesse Arnhem, scoring 14 goals in 38 appearances for the Dutch side.

He was also part of the England side that won the 2017 European Under-19 Championships and named the tournament's best player.

The 2018-19 season could be a very exciting one for Mount and Derby.

Image source, BBC Radio Derby Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Paul Clement finally landed the number 9 he'd been searching for when he completed the signing of Sam Baldock from Brighton on Monday evening.

Goals proved a problem for the Royals last season as they stuttered to a 20th-place finish, only securing Championship safety on the final day.

Baldock, 29, moves to the Madejski Stadium after nearly four years with Brighton, where he netted 18 goals in 81 league appearances.

Can he get off to a perfect start in front of goal this evening? If he is to, he'll be making quite an impact from the bench.

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Marriott finally made the move to Derby from Peterborough United last month after Posh had rejected three bids for the 23-year-old striker.

Marriott scored 27 goals in League One last season, prolific form that has seen him earn a three-year contract at Pride Park.

He won't be making an immediate impact this evening though.

Image source, Rex Features

Andy Yiadom became the first new face through the doors of the Madejski Stadium when Paul Clement secured the full-back on a free transfer in May.

The 26-year-old had a tough time with Barnsley last season as the Tykes fell through the Championship trap door, but the Ghana international will hope for happier times ahead after signing a four-year deal at Reading.

"Everyone's looking forward to starting this campaign," he told BBC Radio Berkshire. "We're raring to go.

"Derby are always strong contenders in this league, but we feel we've got ourselves ready and prepared during pre-season for the challenges ahead."

How many teams?

What's on their badges?

What are their nicknames?

As the new season gets underway, test your knowledge on all things EFL in this quiz from our friends over at CBBC.

Play now!

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BBC Radio 5 live

In case you missed Tuesday night's big preview of the EFL season on BBC Radio 5 live, it's available to listen to again both online, on iPlayer radio or as a podcast via your usual provider.

Caroline Barker was joined by Mark Clemmit, Stephen Warnock and Simon Grayson plus a host of managers and players for a full and comprehensive look ahead at the coming campaign.

There are two debutants for Reading too, with Republic of Ireland midfielder David Meyler and former Barnsley captain Andy Yiadom named in the XI.

Boss Paul Clement includes his two recent striker signings - Sam Baldock and Marc McNulty - on the bench, where they are joined by experienced former Manchester United defender John O'Shea.

Reading: Mannone; Yiadom, McShane, Ilori, Richards; Aluko, Meyler, Swift, Kelly, Barrow; Bodvarsson.

Subs: Walker, O'Shea, Bacuna, Baldock, Meite, Clement, McNulty.

Image source, Rex Features

The answer to that question is no. In fact George Evans isn't in the 18, which probably means that his absence in the season-opener was part of the deal.

New Derby boss Frank Lampard hands debuts to Harry Wilson and Mason Mount in his first Rams XI.

There's plenty of experience in the line-up too in the form of captain Curtis Davies, keeper Scott Carson, midfielder Joe Ledley and striker David Nugent.

Derby: Carson; Wisdom, Keogh, Davies, Lowe; Bryson, Ledley, Mount; Wilson, Nugent, Lawrence.

Subs: Roos, Jozefzoon, Johnson, Pearce, Bennett, Thomas, Bogle.

With that in mind, let's take a look at this evening's team news...