Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town handed two of toughest starts to Championship season

Both Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United have one of the toughest starts to the Championship season – on paper at least. Only Hull City have a more difficult opening six matches than the Terriers, while United’s start is ranked as the fifth most difficult.

Town kick things off with a home match against Burnley, who were narrowly relegated from the Premier League in 18th last season. That’s followed by an away trip to Birmingham City, who finished 20th, a home game against Stoke City (14th in the Championship), Norwich City away (20th in the Premier League), Coventry City away (12th in the Championship), and West Brom at home (10th in the Championship).

That’s equivalent to a finishing position last year of 9.0 in the Championship, just ahead of Sheffield United’s, which averages out at 9.7. They kick off the season with an away trip to Watford (19th in the Premier League), followed by a home clash with Millwall (9th in the Championship), Middlesbrough away (7th in the Championship), Sunderland at home (5yj in League One), Blackburn Rovers at home (8th in the Championship) and Luton Town away (6th in the Championship).

On the other side of the scale, Bristol City, have the easiest start to the season on paper. The Robins start the season against Hull, who finished 19th in the Championship last season.

Sunderland are next and finished 5th in League One, which is the 49th spot in the football pyramid.

Wigan finished top of League One (45th overall), Luton Town finished 6th in the Championship, Cardiff City 18th, and Blackpool 16th.

That gives an average of 38.8 in the football pyramid, which is equivalent to 18.8 in the Championship. Coventry have the next easiest start on paper, with their opening six opponents having an average finishing position of 18.5 last season. That’s followed by Norwich (17.2), Preston (15.5), and Rotherham (15.3).

Full list:

Hull City: 8.3

Huddersfield Town: 9.0

West Bromwich Albion: 9.0

Watford: 9.5

Sheffield United: 9.7

Sunderland: 9.8

Wigan Athletic: 10

Millwall: 11.2

Burnley: 11.3

Luton Town: 11.3

Stoke City: 12

Swansea City: 12

Blackburn Rovers: 12.7

Blackpool: 12.7

Middlesbrough: 12.7

Birmingham City: 12.8

Cardiff City: 13.5

Reading: 14

Queens Park Rangers: 14.2

Rotherham United: 15.3

Preston North End: 15.5

Norwich City: 17.2

Coventry City: 18.5

Bristol City: 18.8

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