Stoke City to begin their Championship campaign by welcoming Rotherham United to the bet365 Stadium in Staffordshire on Saturday afternoon.
The Potters will be looking to kick on this season after a mid-table finish in 2022-23, while Rotherham look set to have a battle on their hands to avoid the drop to League One.
Match preview
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Despite threatening to pose a late playoff push in the 2022-23 Championship season, Stoke were forced to settle for a 16th-placed finish in the second tier - their joint lowest since being relegated from the Premier League in 2018.
The Potters are among a number of former top-flight sides in the division who are no longer receiving parachute payments, although Alex Neil's men have seen some notable faces come through the door this summer.
Attackers Chiquinho and Wesley have joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa respectively, with the latter having plenty of potential to excel in the second tier if he can distance himself from the medical room.
The Staffordshire-based club have also moved to recruit players with Championship experience in this window, recently announcing the arrival of centre-back Luke McNally from Burnley, with the 23-year-old spending part of last term on loan at Coventry City.
Neil's men struggled at the bet365 Stadium last campaign, managing just six home wins in 23 second-tier matches - only Queens Park Rangers and Wigan Athletic enjoyed fewer successes in front of their own fans.
A mixed pre-season in terms of results ended in defeat against Premier League side Everton last Saturday, with Amadou Onana scoring a 96th-minute winner in Staffordshire for Sean Dyche's Toffees.
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Rotherham are back in the Championship for back-to-back campaigns for the first time since the 2016-17 term after avoiding the drop quite comfortably under Matthew Taylor last season.
The Millers achieved promotions from League One in 2018 and 2020 only to be immediately relegated in 2019 and 2021, however the Yorkshire club got rid of their whipping-boy status in the second tier by finishing 19th in 2022-23.
Considering the strength of the division - on paper - this season, Rotherham could have their work cut out to ensure a third year at this level, especially with Chiedozie Ogbene no longer at the club.
The prolific Irishman was the Millers' top scorer last season with eight league goals, and the 26-year-old secured a lucrative move to Premier League newcomers Luton Town in June.
Right-back Fred Onyedinma has arrived from Kenilworth Road in an unrelated deal with the Hatters - a move which was necessary following the departure of Wes Harding to Millwall on a free transfer.
Rotherham will be hoping for a repeat of their trip to Staffordshire last season, with a sixth-minute strike from midfielder Oliver Rathbone securing a maximum against Stoke in October 2022.
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Team News
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Stoke are set to name a new-look XI for their season opener on Saturday after making 11 signings so far this summer, with defenders Enda Stevens and Michael Rose ready for league debuts.
Despite the arrival of Ryan Mmaee from Hungarian champions Ferencvaros, the onus will be on Dwight Gayle to find the Championship form which made him so prolific for Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion in the past.
The Potters are likely to have a new face between the sticks on the weekend, with Ireland international Mark Travers joining from Bournemouth in late July.
Rotherham could hand a start to new club captain Sean Morrison at the bet365 Stadium, but midfielder Rathbone will wear the armband for the visitors if the centre-back is not up to speed after his injury.
The Millers may be without the services of defender Grant Hall on Saturday, although the former QPR man has trained this week following a scan which revealed a slight leg strain.
Jamie Lindsay is a doubt for Saturday's season opener in Stoke, as the Scotsman continues his recovery from an injury picked up during Rotherham's pre-season schedule.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Travers; Rose, McNally, Stevens; Hoever, Pearson, Laurent, Tymon; Campbell, Gayle; Mmaee
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Hall, Peltier, Humphreys; Onyedinma, Wiles, Rathbone, Bramall; Kelly, Hugill, Cafu
We say: Stoke City 1-0 Rotherham United
Stoke will be looking to make a statement at the beginning of their Championship campaign, and a home tie with Rotherham serves up a good opportunity to do so.
The Millers might struggle to avoid the drop this term but will be hoping to catch the Potters cold on Saturday, although we believe the hosts will record a narrow victory.
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