Walsall land a home bonus

Dean Smith will kick off his second full season in charge of Walsall with a home game against relegated Doncaster.

Rovers will visit the Banks's Stadium on August 18 with the Saddlers travelling to Oldham for their second game of the season on Tuesday, August 21.

They will complete their August League One programme with a trip to Notts County on August 25.

Over the festive season, Smith's men host Colchester on December 22 before heading for MK Dons on Boxing Day, while Smith has a date at the home of his former club Leyton Orient on December 29, before Stevenage visit the Banks's Stadium on New Year's Day.

They will complete their season with a short trip to Crewe on April 27.

Other highlights for Saddlers fans are the Midlands derbies against Shrewsbury and Coventry, the first time Walsall have played those teams at their new grounds competitively.

Smith's men make the short trip down the M54 to Shropshire and the Greenhous Meadow on October 13, while they make their maiden visit the Ricoh Arena on December 8.

Shrewsbury are at the Banks's Stadium on March 2, and the Sky Blues go to Walsall on April 1.

Walsall play their first ever League fixture against promoted Crawley Town when they travel to Sussex on November 17, with the return on March 16.

The Saddlers are facing their first game against Portsmouth for several years on September 15 following Pompey's relegation from the Championship, with the south coast side at the Banks's Stadium on January 5.

Meanwhile, Birmingham City have a difficult start against two promoted sides in the Championship.

Blues start with a home game against League One champions Charlton on August 18, while they make the trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday three days later.

The St Andrew's men complete August with the visit of Watford on August 25.

Blues' derby clash against Wolves at Molineux is on December 8 before the return on April 1.