The EFL released the 19/20 Championship fixtures on Thursday morning and Leeds fans won’t have been surprised to see their first game, away at Bristol City, has been selected by Sky and will kick-off at 4.30pm on Sunday, August 4.
That scuppered the hopes of one Leeds fan who asked earlier in the morning, “Can we maybe not play our first game on the Sunday?”
That was wishful thinking – Leeds had 20 of their games televised last season, 19 by Sky Sports and one FA Cup game on the BBC, causing plenty of disruption for fans.
Can we maybe not play our first game on the Sunday? Be nice to get a head start on others for once.
A home game would be preferable also. #lufc https://t.co/HT4FVZ7LUc
— Daryl ? (@DarylRS29) June 20, 2019
The first home game for Leeds is the following Saturday (Aug 10) against Nottingham Forest, followed by a trip to Wigan and a home tie against Brentford.
That’s not the hardest start for Leeds, who begin the season as favourites for the title.
Other notable fixtures follow as Leeds host Derby on September 21. Bad blood still remains between the two clubs after Frank Lampard’s side knocked Leeds out of the play-off semi-finals, following a season of rancour from the spygate scandal.
Leeds don’t play any of the three relegated clubs until December when, after waiting four months, three turn up at once.
Leeds travel to Huddersfield on December 7, then host Cardiff on December 14 before travelling to Fulham – second-favourites for the Championship – on December 21.
? | We can now reveal our fixtures for the 2019/20 @SkyBetChamp season pic.twitter.com/iNvhrtvYwU
— Leeds United (@LUFC) June 20, 2019
At the tail-end of the season, Derby could play a big part in Leeds’ promotion hopes again as they play each other in the penultimate game of the season.
Leeds’ final game of the 19/20 campaign is at home to newly-promoted Charlton.
This is what the Leeds fans made of the new fixtures:
Bristol away as the first fixture. Pretty disgusting really.
— Brandon Yates (@Brandon7Yates) June 20, 2019
I really do see 46 Leeds wins when I look at those fixtures. The short break has restored my blind optimism.
— Clark Boyd (@ClarkBoyd) June 20, 2019
3 relegated PL clubs in 4 games over 2 weeks, then all 3 in a row in March…
— Ant Walker (@Antichthon) June 20, 2019
Derby second to last game to be crowned champions yes please! ????????
— ????Ryan???? (@TGORyann) June 20, 2019
Fulham away the weekend before Xmas….????????????
— Graham Newcombe (@GrahamNewcombe) June 20, 2019
Our last home game in the premier league was against Charlton, it will also be our last home game in the Championship. MOT
— ALP (@adamlpi) June 20, 2019
Will be nice to clinch the title at Derby on April 25, if not earlier
— AS (@toellandandback) June 20, 2019
Derby county the last away game… Oh I do hope that is the game we are celebrating going to the Prem. 🙂
— Carl LUFC ???????? (@HousemanCarl) June 20, 2019