Last updated: 16th June 2008
Coppell: Facing Forest on opening day
Relegated Reading have been handed a tricky trip to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the Coca-Cola Championship season.
Steve Coppell's Royals were relegated on the final day of last season despite a 4-0 win at Derby, and will line up on the opening day against a side who were automatically promoted courtesy of a 3-2 win over Yeovil.
Forest spent three seasons at League One level after being relegated in 2005, and face a trip to League One champions Swansea in their second game of the season.
But Forest fans will be rushing to put the dates of 1st November and 21st February in their diaries as that is when they face fierce rivals Derby.
The Swans themselves start with a trip to Charlton, their first trip to The Valley since 1983, while the third promoted team - Doncaster - also face a tricky start after being handed an opening day trip to relegated Derby.
The Rams set a Premier League record last season by collecting just 11 points from their 38 games, but will be looking to make a good start, while midfielder Paul Green could make his Derby debut against the club he has left this summer after more than 250 appearances.
Birmingham, the third team relegated from the top flight last season, begin their campaign with a clash against Sheffield United, who just missed out on a place in the play-offs last season.
Bristol City, beaten in the play-off final by Hull City, begin at Blackpool, while the two beaten semi-finalists - Crystal Palace and Watford - clash at Selhurst Park, while FA Cup finalists Cardiff kick off at home to Southampton.
QPR kick off at home to Barnsley, while Plymouth host Wolves in a reverse of the final fixture of last season.
Elsewhere, Coventry host Norwich, Ipswich take on Preston and Burnley travel to Sheffield Wednesday.

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Friday 7th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 20:00 | Middlesbrough vs Sheff Utd |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Cardiff vs Scunthorpe |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Plymouth |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Peterborough |
| 15:00 | Leicester vs Swansea |
| 15:00 | Preston vs Bristol City |
| 15:00 | QPR vs Blackpool |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Nottm Forest |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Barnsley |
| 15:00 | Watford vs Doncaster |
| 17:30 | West Brom vs Newcastle |
| Sunday 9th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 12:45 | Coventry vs Ipswich |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Barnsley vs Coventry |
| 15:00 | Blackpool vs Cardiff |
| 15:00 | Bristol City vs Crystal Palace |
| 15:00 | Doncaster vs Preston |
| 15:00 | Ipswich vs Leicester |
| 15:00 | Nottm Forest vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Peterborough vs Sheff Wed |
| 15:00 | Plymouth vs QPR |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Monday 25th May | |
| Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Burnley 1 - 0 Sheff Utd | |
| Tuesday 12th May | |
| Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 0 - 2 Burnley | |
| Monday 11th May | |
| Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Utd 1 - 0 Preston | |
| Saturday 9th May | |
| Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Burnley 1 - 0 Reading | |
| Friday 8th May | |
| Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Preston 1 - 1 Sheff Utd | |
| Sunday 3rd May | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 1 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Sheff Utd | |
| Sheff Wed 1 - 0 Cardiff | |
| Watford 3 - 1 Derby | |
| Plymouth 1 - 2 Barnsley | |
| Nottm Forest 3 - 1 Southampton | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 0 Doncaster | |
| Charlton 4 - 2 Norwich | |
| Preston 2 - 1 QPR | |
| Swansea 0 - 1 Blackpool | |
| Burnley 4 - 0 Bristol City | |
| Ipswich 2 - 1 Coventry | |
| Monday 27th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Norwich 0 - 2 Reading | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 1 - 2 Preston | |
| Bristol City 1 - 1 Sheff Wed | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnsley | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Blackpool | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Bristol City | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Cardiff City | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Coventry City | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Derby County | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Doncaster Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Ipswich Town | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Leicester City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Nottingham Forest | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Peterborough United | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Plymouth Argyle | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Preston North End | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Queens Park Rangers | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Reading | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Scunthorpe United | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Sheffield United | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Sheffield Wednesday | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Swansea City | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Watford | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | 0 |
Sky Sports has announced its first live games for the season, including Boro, Newcastle and WBA.
If you're between the ages of 16-18 and fancy earning a year's contract with Inter Milan, then click here!
Alex Dunn delves into the hornet's nest of hypocrisy that is loyalty in football and is left disappointed.
Reading are lining up a move for Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand, skysports.com understands.
Darren Ferguson is to be offered a contract extension at Peterborough in the wake of his rejection of West Brom's advances.
West Bromwich Albion have played down rumours that Jonathan Greening could leave the club.
Ian Morris has joined Kevan Hurst and Joe Murphy in signing a new contract at Scunthorpe.
Anduele Pryor has been offered a trial at Bristol City, according to Vitesse's Paul van der Kraan.