Here we go again, another gruelling 46-game season is about to get underway, and with no form to go on predicting the outcomes of the opening round of fixtures is no easy task. Ok, perhaps we can use pre-season friendlies as a guide but I prefer not to. I take very little notice of results as the games are designed purely for fitness and team bonding, and I can guarantee we'll see a completely different approach once the whistle sounds on Saturday afternoon.

At the last count relegated Birmingham had released or sold (including out on loan) no fewer than 16 first-team players, including the likes of Ben Foster, Barry Ferguson, Roger Johnson, Lee Bowyer, Sebastian Larsson and Craig Gardner. It's a slippery road the Blues are on at the moment, and it can't be helping that there are so many unanswered questions surrounding club owner Carson Yeung. I fear the worst for Birmingham despite them having a bright young manager in Chris Hughton at the helm.

I feel Derby have the potential to be much better than the team that finished 19th last season. Nigel Clough has brought in at least nine players so far including the experienced Kevin Kilbane and prolific goalscorer at this level Nathan Tyson (he scored more than a goal every two games during his five year spell at Nottm Forest). With home advantage I can see the Rams dishing out an early dose of 'the task ahead' to Birmingham and their fans.

Back Derby at 2.82 to beat Birmingham

Reading had a fantastic finish to last season's campaign (excluding that play-off final defeat of course), with a run of just one loss in their final 16 regulation Championship games that included eight successive victories. Brian McDermott's squad is certainly no weaker this season and if they can keep hold of the apparently sought-after Shane Long then I expect the Royals to have a very good season this time around. Long should be in the team to face Millwall on Saturday, and with the striker out to impress any potential buyers he and his team-mates ought to be good enough to secure an immediate three points.

The Lions did themselves proud last term but before they managed three away victories towards the end of the season much of their best form was played at the Den. There's no reason why Kenny Jackett's men shouldn't be able to build on what they achieved last term but they are yet to add any real quality to their squad, and they could hardly have been handed a more difficult away game to kick-off their campaign.

Back Reading at 1.96 to beat Millwall

A cracking game to start the new Championship season and one that fully deserves its Sunday live TV slot.

On Wednesday I read that Scott Parker was willing to stay at West Ham to help them try and win promotion; on Thursday I read that Sam Allardyce is planning the campaign without his star midfielder. With or without Parker I think the Hammers are destined for a successful season. They have a very strong squad, an experienced manager, and obviously have funds to spend given the number of players they are being linked with - including Long from Reading, John Carew and Jermaine Beckford. They will be difficult to beat, especially at Upton Park.

Cardiff are another strong outfit who have replaced the departures of Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra like-for-like with the signings of Kenny Miller and Robert Earnshaw. And as silly as it may sound I don't think the loss of Craig Bellamy will harm their promotion chances too much. Having said that I believe West Ham will get their season off to a flying start by winning this mouth-watering encounter.