The fixtures are in for our teams

Wolves open with a Molineux visit from West Ham, before tackling Wigan and unpredictable Manchester City in back-to-back away games before Hull come to Molineux.

Blues go straight into the firing line with an opening day trip to Manchester United - if there is a good time to play the champions many believe it is first up - but then have home games against Portsmouth and Stoke.

That double-header will be viewed as decent opportunities to get some early points on the board.

Alex McLeish's team won't be the only team feeling the glare of the media spotlight for their opening game of the season - Albion take on Newcastle at the Hawthorns in the battle of two relegated clubs.

That match triggers a furiously busy start to the season for the Baggies in which they will complete 10 league fixtures and begin their Carling Cup campaign in the opening two months of the campaign.

Back in the Premier League, Villa host Wigan and present the first Premier League challenge for the Latics' new boss Roberto Martinez.

A season packed with plenty of long-haul trips for the Walsall faithful at least begins with a visit to the seaside on August 8, as the Saddlers tackle Brighton.

But for Wolves and Blues, there will be no complaints about a schedule which spares both teams any of those nasty glut of fixtures which can de-rail a campaign.

Mick McCarthy's Championship champions will note December brings the glamour trip to Old Trafford and a Boxing Day outing to Anfield to face Liverpool.

But the challenges are otherwise evenly spread and the derbies begin at Molineux, with Villa visiting on October 24 and Blues November 28. The return trips are staged on February 6 (Blues) and then March 20 (Villa).

Champions United make their first return to Molineux - scene of an unexpected 1-0 defeat in Wolves only other Premier League season - on March 6 but, after the club takes its bow at the Emirates for the Arsenal away game on April 3, there is a run-in supporters will believe is not without significance or possibilities.

Wolves close with five games against teams from the mid to lower range of the Premier League food chain.

This takes in Stoke at home, Fulham away, Blackburn at home, Portsmouth away and Sunderland at home. If they are fighting for survival they cannot ask for more.

The Second City derbies resume with Blues hosting Villa on September 12, before they make the return trip on the third last weekend of the season, April 24.

But, like Wolves, there will be no complaints from St Andrew's about a run-in which sees them pitched against Hull, Burnley and Bolton in three of the last four games.

The two Brummie clubs have Boxing Day crackers to relish, with Blues getting a ground-packing visit from Chelsea and Villa heading for the Emirates in the hope of repeating last season's victory.

The Baggies campaign bears the hallmarks of a more congested Championship schedule.

After that juicy opener with Newcastle, they head east for Nottingham Forest and - in a potentially intriguing game during the club's current manager hunt - Peterborough in away games.

Both Christmas and Easter are busier for the Baggies too. They face the return with Posh on Boxing Day, but then travel to promoted Scunthorpe two days later.

The Easter double-header sees a visit from old boys Nigel Pearson and Craig Shakespeare with Leicester, before Albion tackle Watford 48 hours later.

The travelling fairies have only been unkind to Walsall fans twice, with back to back trips to Norwich and Tranmere in September, before Leeds and Gillingham in January.

Otherwise, the Banks's Stadium will open its doors to a new League One campaign with a visit from Southend, followed by the prospect of some sold-out signs against Leeds.

December sees the fallen Premier League clubs come to town.

Southampton visit on December 5, while Christmas brings a visit from Norwich two days after the Boxing Day trip to Bristol Rovers.

Easter brings a visit to Stockport and then home game against Wycombe.