There is a Sky Bet Championship.

Sixty-one days have passed since the play-off final at Wembley and the return to the top flight of English football.

Bournemouth finished as runners-up in Scott Parker's first season in charge of the Cherries, as well as being demoted to League One.

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EFL Championship goals of the season 21/22
With the new Sky Bet Championship campaign getting under way on Friday, we look back at the best goals from a memorable season last time around...

This year's World Cup has shortened the break between seasons by a week, but the Sky Bet EFL season will get underway on Friday night.

All you need to know is that the curtain-raiser will be in the year 2022.

Friday 29th July 7:00pm Sky Sports Football Sky Sports Football

Opening weekend fixtures

Friday July 29th.

  • Huddersfield vs Burnley (8pm) - Live on Sky Sports Football

Unless stated, Saturday July 30 is all 3pm ko.

Sunday July 31 is a holiday.

  • Sunderland vs Coventry (12pm) - Live on Sky Sports Football

On Monday August 1st.

  • Watford vs Sheffield United (8pm)- Live on Sky Sports Football

Prutton's opening weekend predictions

The opening weekend of the Sky Bet Championship season is predicted by DavidPrutton.

Prutton's Predictions

During his 11 years in England, he made over 350 appearances for Manchester City and earned legendary status at the club.

Vincent Kompany won the Premier League four times during an 11-year spell at Manchester City
Image: Vincent Kompany won the Premier League four times during an 11-year spell at Manchester City

After retiring in August 2020 after a fairy-tale return to Anderlecht in his native Belgium, the 36-year-old spent just shy of two years in charge at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

After a decade in charge of the club, Sean Dyche left in April to take charge of the Championship side.

He said it was an honor to be the first Belgian to manage in England.

I'm looking forward to working with the players and creating a winning team for our fans when we come back to Turf Moor. The board's vision for the club meshes with my own and I look forward to playing my part as we enter an important season.

The 36-year-old was appointed Burnley manager in June
Image: Vincent Kompany was appointed Burnley manager in June

Since that day, the squad turnover has increased. Wout Weghorst has joined Besiktas on loan and there is a more youthful look to the squad with the additions of Scott Twine

At Anderlecht, Kompany gained a reputation for trusting in youth and being successful in doing so, and he seems to be trying to bring that philosophy to his new role.

He has not gone as far as promising instant success - and the fact that they have not been named as early title favorites certainly relieves any pressure - but the new-look Clarets will look to hit the ground running in Friday's curtain-raiser against the Terriers.

Is the promotion race more open than ever?

It goes without saying, but there is a lot of teams who will see this season as an opportune time to return to the top flight, particularly as only one team in the last few years has spent more time at the top of the table.

Norwich City's Teemu Pukki with the Sky Bet Championship trophy
Image: Norwich have won the Championship twice in the last four seasons

Without Carlos Corberan at the helm, the Terriers lost the play-off final to Forest at the end of May and will be out to avenge that, as well as trying to get back into the Championship.

Last season, Middlesbrough knocked on the door of the play-offs in order to end their stay in the second tier, as well as other second tier clubs making significant changes to their squad over the summer.

There seems to be a more even spread term compared to last season, when they blew multiple opponents out of the water with their ruthlessness. That is on paper.

Golden Boot contenders

There was a unique goal scoring campaign in the 21st century.

After breaking Ivan Toney's Championship scoring record of 31 before the end of the season, he ended up with another 12 on top of that, setting a new precedent.

Image: Ben Brereton Diaz scored 22 goals for Blackburn last season

Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke hit 29 which would have earned him the accolade in 15 of the 18 seasons since the second tier was re-christened.

Sky Bet have slashed the odds for the Chile international to top the scoring charts in the future, with the club having successfully held onto their prized asset.

The overwhelming favorite is the city ofNorwich. His two seasons in the Championship produced 54 goals, compared to 22 in his two in the top flight.

Newcastle United's English striker Dwight Gayle celebrates after he scores his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Newcastle United at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth,
Image: Dwight Gayle joined Stoke from Newcastle this summer

In 100 Championship games, DwightGay has scored 59 goals, compared to 26 in the premier league. The 32-year-old ended his six-year stay atNewcastle in the summer, with the hope that he will fire them to success

There is a case for the two men. Injury has prevented Dike from replicating the form of 2019/20, when the American helped Barnsley stun many to reach the Championship play-off semi-finals, while former Netherlands U20 international Piroe netted 22 times in his debut season in the EFL.

Championship 2022/23: Sky Bet odds

In order to win the title, you need to be a bookmaker.

In order to be promoted, the following companies are:Norwich,Watford,Middlesbrough,Sheffield United,West Brom andBurnley.

Bristol City is the only one to be promoted to the top flight.

To win the Golden Boot, you have to be a 6/1 shot.

The odds are correct at 5 pm on Thursday.

Can Burnley bounce back under Kompany?

Can the Belgian inspire an immediate return to the top flight for the Clarets?

25 of the biggest talents under 25 years old will play in the Sky Bet Championship in the year 2022.

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Ones to Watch
We take a look at some of the biggest talents under 25 years old playing in the Sky Bet Championship in 2022-2023, featuring Ben Brereton Diaz, Tyrese Campbell, Sorba Thomas and more!

Sunderland's four-year League One stay examined

We look at the agony and ecstasy of their four-season battle to escape the clutches of League One.

You can take a look at what the teams will be wearing.

Coventry City's 2022/23 home kit (Credit: Coventry City Football Club & Hummel)

Who will be moving across the Championship this summer?

The season starts with a game on July 29th.

August 10th is the Carabao Cup first round.

The final games before the World Cup break.

The championship will resume on December 10.

The third round of the FA Cup will take place on January 8.

The Carabao Cup final will take place on February 26th.

May 6th is the final day of Sky Bet EFL.

There is a League Two play-off final.

There is a League One play-off final.

The Championship play-off final will take place on May 29th.