Almost an instant response.

United's Oliver Burke gets in behind and smashes the ball against the near post.

Keeper wasn't saving that. What a game we've got on out hands.

It's now hammering it down with rain at Bramall Lane.

I swear it used to be blazing sunshine on the opening day of the season.

None of that today.

David McGoldrick has a licence to roam wherever he wants.

One minute he picks up the ball in the centre circle, the next he's overlapping on the right.

This time he picks the ball up on the left corner of the box. He beats the first man but can't get a shot off before he gets tackled by the second.

United on top though.

Break in the play but not in the singing.

The Sheffield United fans are in full voice tonight, I can barely hear the commentators.

I've missed this, we've all missed this.

More like it from the hosts as Oliver Norwood gets on the ball and very nearly sends through Oliver Burke with a classy ball over the top.

Burke can't quite reach it though, but a good start this.

An early chance for Tahith Chong as he blasts a shot into a wall of Blades defenders with his first touch in a Blues shirt.

Birmingham are launching the ball towards the Sheffield United box at every opportunity.

The players take a knee.

And then we're off. Birmingham start by punting it long.

This is your 60-second warning!

The players are walking out to a huge reception.

Football is well and truly back.

Sheffield United wins: 42

Draws: 22

Birmingham wins: 46

Last two meetings: 1-1 (April 2019), 0-0 (September 2018)

Tight.

Andy Giddings
Sports Editor, BBC Sheffield

Sheffield United are expected to challenge for promotion.

The Blades have an experienced squad, many of whom have been promoted before, and a proven manager in Slavisa Jokanovic, who's twice led teams back to the Premier League.

Expect a possession-based attacking style and a high press without the ball, using a 4-3-3 (effectively a 4-3-1-2) formation to get more forwards onto the field.

Much will then depend on Brewster, McBurnie and Mousset finding a seldom-seen goal-scoring touch. However, the Frenchman's pre-season form has been encouraging.

Recruitment will also be key, with Ramsdale and Norway midfielder Sander Berge attracting interest.

But overall there is a quiet confidence the Blades will be at least in the mix for the play-offs - if not automatic promotion.

Richard Wilford
BBC WM

The hope at St Andrew’s is that greater stability off the field might translate to a season without a relegation scrap this time around, with the club looking to build on Lee Bowyer’s excellent start over the last 10 games of last season.

New technical director Craig Gardner has made early inroads when it comes to squad-strengthening with the eye-catching loan signing of Manchester United’s Tahith Chong and the arrival of a ball-playing midfield anchor in Ryan Woods. Wolves defender Dion Sanderson adds mobility to the defence with Jordan Graham an interesting wildcard after reinvigorating his career at Gillingham.

But the other key addition is arguably to the coaching staff – the former Republic of Ireland winger Mark Kennedy fits well with Bowyer’s methods, and brings with him his experience of working in the Manchester City academy. A mid-table season would be an acceptable stepping stone after years of anxiety.

Slavisa Jokanovic names a strong line-up for the Blades with Lys Mousset's performances in pre-season earning him a start.

Rhian Brewster is only on the bench, while Billy Sharp is also among the substitutes. Sharp missed the end of last season with an injury.

It also looks as if Sheffield United are going to play with a back four for the first time in five years. Interesting.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale (GK), Bladock, Egan, Robinson, Osborn, Fleck, Norwood, Berge, McGoldrick, Mousset, Burke.

Birmingham boss Lee Bowyer hands three competitive debuts with keeper Matija Sarkic, midfielder Ryan Woods and Manchester United loanee winger Tahith Chong all starting.

Birmingham XI: Sarkic (GK), Colin, Dean, Roberts, Pedersen, Woods, Gardner, Bela, Chong, Jutkiewicz, Hogan.

Image source, Rex Features

After the exit of Chris Wilder, who led the club from League One to the top flight, and the caretaker reign of Paul Heckingbottom, the Blades have appointed a coach who knows his way out of the Championship.

Slavisa Jokanovic secured automatic promotion with Watford in 2014-15, and led Fulham up through the play-offs three years ago.

The Serb's sides are known for their free-flowing football. Having left Qatari side Al-Gharafa, the 52-year-old becomes the South Yorkshire club's first overseas manager.

As always you can have your say on tonight's action.

Best way is to tweet me using #bbcefl. I'll keep checking every couple of minutes.

Blades fans, what's the aim this season? Play-offs the bare minimum?

Bluenoses, would you say yes to a top-half finish right now?

Image source, Rex Features

Birmingham ended the last campaign in 18th place, the fifth successive season they have finished in the bottom third of the table.

It could have been so much worse though, with Blues just three points clear of the relegation zone in March having played four more games than then 22nd-placed Rotherham.

In came manager Lee Bowyer and their form turned around, winning five of their final 10 games.

Former Birmingham midfielder Bowyer managed Charlton up to the Championship via the play-offs in 2019. Will history repeat itself this term?

Can Sheffield United bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking?

They had a torrid time of it last term, suffering relegation after just 32 matches played.

This squad could do with a pick-up, United lost 29 of their 38 matches, finishing bottom and 16 points adrift of safety.

But this is largely an unchanged team to the one that finished 9th in the top flight two campaigns ago.

And maybe Rhian Brewster will start to shine in red and white. A £23.5m signing from Liverpool last summer, he is still awaiting his first competitive goal for the club after 30 fruitless outings last season.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United are back in the Championship after a two year absence.

They host a Birmingham City side who will begin their 11th straight season in the second tier.

Game one, so much hope and promise, the whole campaign before you. Which side will start the brighter tonight?

Thanks Ian. Well then, what a day of sport!

More golds for GB, a Joe Root century and plenty of EFL twists this afternoon.

Not a bad starter. Now it's time for the main course...

So, from one team from the Steel City to another.

Can Sheffield United do what their cross-city rivals failed to do and win their first game after being relegated?

Joe Rindl is here to see you through today's final game.