Summary

  • New EFL season gets under way on Friday (19:45 BST)

  • Bournemouth host relegated West Brom in the Championship in the first game of the 2021-22 campaign

  • England's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney starts his first full season as Derby manager

  • Sutton United and Hartlepool new to League Two following promotion

  • How do you think your side will get on? #bbcefl

  1. Live BBC coveragepublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    #bbcefl

    BBC radio notesImage source, Getty Images

    If you didn't already know, the BBC will be with you the whole way through this upcoming EFL season.

    We'll be bringing you live text coverage of every Championship game, as well as updates from across League One and League Two.

    Meanwhile your BBC local radio station will have live coverage of your team, with Squad Goals taking you through all the action - with fan reaction - on BBC Sounds.

  2. Blackburn Rovers - Armstrong uncertainty dominatespublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 15th)

    Andy Bayes
    BBC Radio Lancashire

    Blackburn Rovers go into the new season an awful lot lighter in numbers than they were when they last played on 8 May.

    Six players have been released with another five loanees returning to their parent clubs. As yet, Rovers are yet to sign anyone.

    Manager Tony Mowbray has hinted that additions would most likely be on loan and the future of last season’s leading scorer Adam Armstrong remains uncertain. They are holding out for offers in the region of £20m for a player going into the final year of his contract. Bradley Dack is highly unlikely to feature until well into 2022.

    They finished last season in 15th place and the chances of improving on that depend entirely on the business they can complete before the transfer deadline.

  3. Blackpool - 'Loan signings will be crucial'published at 18:57 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 3rd in League One)

    Ian Chisnall
    BBC Radio Lancashire

    Blackpool will be looking to harness the momentum that any promotion brings as they return to the second tier.

    Bridging the undoubted gap between the divisions will present a significant challenge to a re-styled squad with upwards of eight additions, many of whom have never played at Championship level.

    Much will depend on those who have, with the vastly-experienced Richard Keogh brought in to marshal a defensive unit on which last season’s success was founded.

    Talismanic and widely-admired striker Jerry Yates, and outstanding goalkeeper Chris Maxwell, have been tied down and, if playmakers Kenny Dougall and Kevin Stewart can stay fit, there should be a strong spine to the team.

    Already a proven developer of players, tactically-astute head coach Neil Critchley will channel the enthusiasm of a largely young group which may yet need some size and experience.

    Moves in the loan market will be crucial and the returning fans can expect exciting times ahead.

  4. Bournemouth - Can Parker's slimmed-down squad succeed?published at 18:54 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 6th)

    Scott ParkerImage source, Getty Images

    After missing out in the play-off semi-finals last season Bournemouth will hope they can return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

    New manager Scott Parker knows what it takes to get out of the division, having guided Fulham to play-off glory last year.

    The Cherries have a slimmed-down squad this time around, with Brentford’s Emiliano Marcondes the only new signing while Sam Surridge, Diego Rico and Asmir Begovic have all left.

    But with the likes of David Brooks, Dominic Solanke and Arnaut Danjuma the club has the attacking talent to again challenge for honours, while they also have experience in players such as Jefferson Lerma, Steve Cook and Junior Stanislas.

  5. Cardiff City - Can McCarthy continue improvement?published at 18:48 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 8th)

    Rob Phillips
    BBC Wales Football Correspondent

    Mick McCarthyImage source, Rex Features

    Mick McCarthy whetted the appetite of Cardiff fans for his first full season in charge by transforming their fortunes on his arrival in January.

    Following six defeats on the trot, McCarthy entered and inspired a run of 11 unbeaten games and eventually the Bluebirds fell just short of the play-offs.

    Back from his Euro 2020 exertions Kieffer Moore will again be a pivotal figure, having been the first Cardiff player to net 20 league goals since Peter Whittingham in 2010. Republic of Ireland striker James Collins will be expected to chip in himself.

    Quicksilver Wolves loanee Ryan Giles has impressed in pre-season, while lynchpin defender Sean Morrison, who has set sights on automatic promotion, should ensure defensive stability.

    At this moment, with mercurial Lee Tomlin’s injury woes, midfield creativity looks a weakness. But Cardiff will be opponents few will relish.

    Hear commentary of every Cardiff City league game in the South East on BBC Radio Wales 103.9 FM.

  6. One hour to go!published at 18:45 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    #bbcefl

    Vitality StadiumImage source, PA Media

    We're just 60 minutes away from the start of the new English league campaign.

    Fans of Bournemouth and West Brom will no doubt be feeling giddy right now as they study their side's team news for the season-opener.

    We'll be covering that one, of course, but there's still the prospects of some more Championship sides to assess first...

  7. How will the relegated Premier League trio get on?published at 18:39 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    #bbcefl

    With Norwich and Watford bouncing straight back up to the Premier League last season, my colleague Rob Stevens has had a thorough look at relegated trio Fulham, Sheffield United and West Brom to see how likely it is they can mount an instant Championship promotion challenge.

    How will the relegated trio get on?

    How will Fulham, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion fare in the Championship after relegation from the Premier League?

    Read More
  8. Derby County - Can Rooney bring smile back for fans?published at 18:36 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 21st)

    Ed Dawes
    BBC Radio Derby Sport

    Wayne RooneyImage source, Getty Images

    The Rams survived by the skin of their teeth last season and this term has started with various hearings and EFL embargoes off the field.

    These issues needed clearing up before a ball is kicked, but there is no chance of it.

    Manager Wayne Rooney has 19 players of 'professional standing', cannot buy players, but can sign free agents and others on loan for six months.

    Various takeover attempts have come and gone.

    The fans have questions over the club's future, the money they are owed for season tickets since 2019 and can't invest in a new season ticket as they are not on sale.

    It is a very turbulent time for the supporters, but if Wayne Rooney can put a side out to bring back a smile to Rams fans it won't come soon enough.

  9. Fulham - Can Silva reintegrate forgotten players?published at 18:33 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 18th in Premier League)

    Andy Rowley
    BBC Radio London

    FulhamImage source, Rex Features

    Fulham will be among the contenders and might be favourites for promotion. You only have to look at their squad to see that the majority of them have experience of a Championship promotion campaign.

    They have also managed to add a brilliant player in Wales international Harry Wilson from Liverpool. His loan spells over the last few years at various clubs at this level have proven that he is a difference-maker in attack who can be deadly from set-pieces.

    There will be more incomings and outgoings to come for certain under new manager Marco Silva. The Portuguese has made a name for himself in this country at Hull City, Watford and Everton, without leaving an obvious lasting legacy at any of those clubs.

    What might be most interesting will be how Fulham reintegrate many of their players who were deemed surplus to requirements while they were in the Premier League, many of whom were so instrumental in getting the club there in the first place.

    They seem to have the squad to contend but do they have the manager, the team spirit and the determination to get promoted again?

  10. Huddersfield Town - 'Looking like a mid-table side'published at 18:30 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 20th)

    Matthew Glennon
    Former Huddersfield Town goalkeeper

    Huddersfield Town's season started earlier than most with their EFL Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday last Sunday, so we've been able to see some of the new signings and I was impressed. It's made me more confident for the season going forward.

    With strikers like Jordan Rhodes, Danny Ward and Fraizer Campbell, if they can find the back of the net that'll be important.

    But the biggest task is arguably at the back, with Levi Colwill, Matty Pearson, Tom Lees and Naby Sarr to choose from. Town conceded the most goals in the league last season, so it's going to be a big job for the back four.

    Danel Sinani has come in on loan from Norwich, and he looks like a playmaker, so he's going to have to provide for the forwards. There's a lot of cogs that need to work together. But I think they'll keep more clean sheets and keep the scorelines down, so I think we're looking more like a mid-table side, with no real threat of relegation.

    You can hear full commentary of every Huddersfield Town match on BBC Radio Leeds DAB throughout the season.

  11. Luton Town - 'Adebayo could be key'published at 18:24 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 12th)

    Simon Oxley
    BBC Three Counties Radio

    Elijah AdebayoImage source, Rex Features

    Luton secured a top-half finish last season, and there have been plenty of summer arrivals as manager Nathan Jones attempts to improve on that.

    Hatters fans have welcomed the attacking flair of Admiral Muskwe, Fred Onyedinma and Carlos Mendes Gomes, combined with the experience of midfielder Henri Lansbury and striker Cameron Jerome. Two key players in recent seasons, James Collins and Matty Pearson, have left, but Luton crucially kept hold of skipper Sonny Bradley and midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu. Striker Elijah Adebayo made a promising start last season, and could be the key to climbing further up the table.

    Much was made of the almost unique surroundings of Kenilworth Road helping Luton in the Championship. Now with fans returning that could also be a factor.

  12. Middlesbrough - Warnock's last season in management?published at 18:21 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 10th)

    Mark Drury
    BBC Radio Tees sport

    Neil WarnockImage source, Rex Features

    Middlesbrough go into their fifth successive season in the Championship hoping Neil Warnock can work his promotion magic once more.

    The 72-year-old wants his side to go all out for the Premier League in what may well be his final season in management.

    Warnock is reshaping the squad which finished in mid-table last time round. Goals have been a long-standing problem for Boro. Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fetcher have left the Riverside after the expiry of their contracts and Uche Ikpeazu has been brought in from Wycombe to fill the hole. Warnock needs his striker to provide a platform to attack from, while hitting the back of the net more often than he’s ever managed before, if Boro are to make it back to the top flight.

    Fans are excited at the arrival of Argentinian attacking midfielder Martin Pajero while Marcus Tavernier, Paddy McNair and Dael Fry are likely to be key players if Boro are to have a successful season.

  13. Millwall - Can Afobe fill goalscoring void?published at 18:18 British Summer Time 6 August 2021

    Championship (2020-21: 11th)

    Benik AfobeImage source, Getty Images

    Millwall will again look to punch above their weight in the Championship, having finished 11th last season.

    Goals were hard to come by for the Lions in 2019-20 – Jed Wallace’s tally of 11 meant he was the only player to hit double figures – as Millwall scored just 47 goals in 46 games.

    To that end manager Gary Rowett went to former club Stoke City to sign experienced striker Benik Afobe on a season-long loan to try and provide more goals while George Saville has returned to The Den to bolster the midfield.

    Keeping the talented Wallace fit will be key for a Millwall squad that may not have as many star names as some of their rivals, but boast a lot of invaluable Championship experience.