Newly promoted Ipswich didn't hang around to show that they belong in the Championship with an opening day win over last season's play-off semi-finalists Sunderland.

A straightforward midweek win in the EFL Cup will have the Tractor Boys buzzing going into this one and barring any last minute changes expect boss Kieran McKenna to field another strong side like he did against the Black Cats.

Stoke are on the same two-game winning high and have scored six goals, conceding only two, through their two fixtures to kick-off their new season.

But the Potters will be without striker Jacob Brown, who scored in their opening game (and nine goals last season), after he signed for Luton in midweek.

Ipswich haven't beaten Stoke in their past eight league meetings.

Image source, Rex Features

Birmingham have their first home league game following last month's takeover by US-based Shelby Companies Limited.

That promises a fresh start and perhaps better days to come after years of underachievement. Tom Brady, who bought a minority stake in the Blues last week, has flown in for this game - but will the former NFL quarterback become a regular at St Andrews?

John Eustace's men opened with a draw at Swansea last Saturday, and eased past Cheltenham in the EFL Cup in midweek.

Visitors Leeds also drew their Championship opener, salvaging a late draw at home against Cardiff on their return to this level after three years in the Premier League.

The visitors will be without forward Wilfried Gnonto, who dropped out of their EFL Cup game against Shrewsbury in midweek and says he "still does not feel able to play" for the Whites.

Image source, Rex Features

Southampton and Norwich both needed last-minute goals to win their opening games of the 2023-24 Championship campaign last week.

Saints enter the game coming-off a shock defeat to League Two Gillingham in the first round of the EFL Cup and will be without their talisman James Ward-Prowse, who punched his ticket back to the Premier League with West Ham in midweek.

Norwich are rested and have had longer to prepare for their first away trip of the season.

David Wagner was able to bolster his squad with a number of signings over the summer to improve squad depth and experience.

This should be a good one.

That's now seven league games without a win for Middlesbrough stretching back to last season.

Four of those matches have been against Coventry. At least Boro don't have to face them again until New Year's Day.

Coventry may have lost influential midfielder Gus Hamer, but Haji Wright looks like he'll go some way to replacing the departed Viktor Gyokeres.

Time now to focus on the rest of the afternoon's EFL action...

Steve Ogrizovic
Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR

Coventry are going to deserve all the plaudits they get from this game.

The new faces have all done really well.

They lost a lead twice in their first two games, but there was no chance of that happening today.

Image source, PA Media

Coventry register their first win of the season as Matt Godden and Haji Wright fire the Sky Blues to victory over Middlesbrough.

Last season's beaten play-off finalists had a largely comfortable afternoon.

For Boro it's back-to-back defeats at the start of a league season for the first time since 2007-08 when the Teessiders were in the penalty area.

Michael Carrick's side look a far cry from the one which surged up the table and finished fourth in the table.

Kai Andrews is on as a late sub for Coventry. The game is almost up and he'll be lucky to get a touch.

Matt Godden is substituted.

Almost a fourth for Coventry as Haji Wright has a shot deflected wide.

We're into eight minutes of added time by the way.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

The keeper has no chance with that deflection.

We knew after the Millwall game that reinforcements would be needed for Boro.

Going forward they need a lot of help, a lot more help.

Morgan Rogers is crowded out in the Coventry box then Sam Silvera has a shot blocked.

A hopeful ball into the area is then shepherded behind for a goal kick.

Boro's challenge is petering out.

Image source, Rex Features

If Middlesbrough do lose Chuba Akpom then Michael Carrick will certainly be wanting to strengthen up front before the transfer window closes.

Carrick said Boro have received bids for Akpom, who scored 28 league goals last season to win the Championship's golden boot.

Boro have lacked a cutting edge in the final third today.

A cross from the left from Sammy SIlvera has just flashed past Josh Coburn and wide of the Coventry goal.

Coventry look content to protect their two-goal lead.

Haji Wright shows a decent turn of pace as he mounts a counter-attack but Boro eventually see off the danger.

Amid all the changes Hayden Hackney has got booked for a pull-back on Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.

The Japan midfielder has been lively for Coventry since coming on and played his part in setting up the second goal.

More subs. A triple one for Boro.

Rav van den Berg, Josh Coburn and Riley McGree enter the fray.

Paddy McNair, Matt Brooks and Hayden Coulsen trudge off.

More changes for the hosts as Jake Bidwell and Liam Kelly come on for Jay Dasilva and Kasey Palmer.

We're about to get under way again after the physios came on.

There's a break in play following a clash of heads between Paddy McNair and Kasey Palmer.

Both players need medical attention.

Barring a stunning comeback, it'll be seven games without a win in the Championship for Middlesbrough.

Four of those games have been against Coventry.

Michael Carrick will be glad not to see the Sky Blues again for a while.

Another big chance for Boro goes begging.

Morgan Rogers gets round his man and into the box on the right.

Keeper Ben Wilson gets a hand on his cross and the ball then deflects behind off Matt Crooks.

The ball just won't bounce Boro's way in the final third.

Steve Ogrizovic
Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR

That is a fantastic ball in.

It's cleared and then Haji Wright - what a start to his career in Coventry.

He might've cost a lot of money but he's started to repay it already.