Sammy Silvera has been bright for Middlesbrough on the left flank so far.

He's cut in a few times and caused trouble for the Coventry defender, and just had a deflected shot saved.

First real opening for either side.

First Boro release Isaiah Jones down the right and he pulls the ball back to Hayden Hackney just inside the box.

But the midfielder's finish is lacking pace and is cut out before troubling Coventry keeper Ben Wilson.

Then Coventry quickly move the ball forward and Ellis Simms tests Seny Dieng with a curling shot from the corner of the area. It's a straightforward save.

Image source, Rex Features

A few nerves for home fans as the Sky Blues look to play out from the back, but Bobby Thomas holds his nerve as he plays a pass across his box and Coventry build upfield.

Milan van Ewijk looks to win a corner on the right flank but doesn't get much change out of the Boro defence.

Boro start in possession but Matt Crooks fouls Coventry defender Kyle McFadzean while looking to get on to a pass forward from Seny Dieng.

The Senegal keeper joined the Teessiders from QPR over the summer but couldn't keep a clean sheet on his debut against Millwall.

Dieng is then called into action to gather a cross from the right wing.

The first Championship match of the day is under way.

Both of these sides, shorn of their stars from last season, are aiming to avoid starting the new campaign with back-to-back defeats.

Dean Whitestone is the man in the middle for this one.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough have actually gone six games without a win in the Championship, including their two matches against Coventry in the play-offs.

Michael Carrick had guided the Teessiders into the promotion race last season after taking over when the club were 21st in the table last October.

Chuba Akpom, last season's top scorer in the second tier with 28 goals, missed most of pre-season with injury and is not in the squad today.

Carrick says Boro have received transfer bids for the striker.

Boro did secure a win in the EFL Cup in midweek, winning 3-2 at 10-man Huddersfield as summer signing Sammy Silvera got his first goal for the club.

Image source, PA Media

There's one change for Coventry from their trip to Leicester last weekend as Dutch wing-back Milan van Ewijk comes in for the departed Gustavo Hamer.

Coventry XI: Wilson, Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere, Van Ewijk, Eccles, Sheaf, Dasilva, Palmer, Godden, Simms.

Subs: Collins (GK), Binks, Bidwell, Obikwu, Kelly, Sakamoto, Stretton, Andrews, Wright.

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick makes two changes from their opener against Millwall.

Isaiah Jones and Sammy Silvera are rewarded for their goals in the League Cup, coming in for Marcus Forss and Riley McGree.

Middlesbrough XI: Dieng, McNair, Fry, Lenihan, Coulson, Hackney, Barlaser, Jones, Crooks, Silvera, Rogers.

Subs: Glover (GK), Bilongo, Van den Berg, Howson, Coburn, Payero, McGree, Forss, Gilbert.

Image source, Rex Features

As well as Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 21 league goals last season, Coventry City have also sold influential midfielder Gustavo Hamer.

The 26-year-old has joined Premier League new boys Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee.

The Brazil-born Dutchman was Coventry's third-highest scorer on their way to Wembley, with eight goals - including the winner against Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-finals.

Hamer said playing in England's top flight was "every little boy's dream".

Image source, Rex Features

Today's Championship starter is a meeting between two clubs who were beaten in the play-offs last season and have started the new campaign on the back foot.

Coventry beat Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-finals last season, winning 1-0 on aggregate, but then the Sky Blues missed out on a place in the Premier League after being beaten by Luton on penalties.

Mark Robins' side lost top scorer Viktor Gyokeres over the summer and were beaten at Leicester City last Sunday.

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, lost 1-0 at home against Millwall seven days ago.

After fixtures spread across three days on the opening weekend of the campaign, there's a full programme in the Championship this afternoon.

All but the early game start at 15:00 BST. Here's what's in store:

• Coventry City v Middlesbrough (12:30 BST)
• Birmingham City v Leeds United
• Cardiff City v Queens Park Rangers
• Huddersfield Town v Leicester City
• Hull City v Sheffield Wednesday
• Ipswich Town v Stoke City
• Millwall v Bristol City
• Preston North End v Sunderland
• Rotherham United v Blackburn Rovers
• Southampton v Norwich City
• Watford v Plymouth Argyle
• West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City

We're going to concentrate on proceedings at the CBS Arena for now...

Amid the distractions of Harry Kane flying to Munich, a potential British transfer fee for Moises Caicedo and the Lionesses's Women's World Cup bid, the EFL campaign is already firmly under way.

Some of last week's results raised an eyebrow, with Barnsley recording a 7-0 win in League One and promoted National League pair Wrexham and Notts County both suffering defeats.

All three clubs relegated from the Premier League avoided defeat but it'll be a long, hard campaign as they bid to return to the top flight.

There's a full fixture list today, with the action getting under way in 15 minutes. Let's get to it...

Image source, Rex Features