just posted on TFF:
HODDLE HEADS BACK TO SAINTS
By Ross Heppenstall, PA Sport
Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle returns to his former club Southampton in a
mouth-watering Coca-Cola Championship season opener at St Mary's on August 6.
The Molineux chief, who left Saints in acrimonious circumstances in 2001 to
join Tottenham, guided Wolves to an 18-match unbeaten streak last season to
ensure they rank high among the pre-season promotion favourites.
Southampton, who could be boosted by the arrival of Lions coach Sir Clive
Woodward before the season kicks off, are also being heavily tipped for
promotion after their 28-year unbroken spell in the top-flight ended last
season.
An opening-day clash with Hoddle's men will provide an intriguing early
barometer of both side's promotion chances, which will no doubt rest heavily on
whether key strikers Peter Crouch and Kenny Miller respectively can be
retained.
Crystal Palace host newly-promoted Luton, and the expected departure of Andy
Johnson before a ball has been kicked could serve as a massive blow to the
Eagles' hopes.
Norwich open their campaign with a trip to Coventry's new Ricoh Arena while
Ipswich, who will surely be more desperate than ever to win automatic promotion
after five play-off failures in nine years, start with a home match against
Cardiff.
Newly-promoted Hull host QPR at the KC Stadium, Sheffield Wednesday travel to
Stoke and Leeds face Millwall at Elland Road.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest begin life in the third tier of English football
for the first time since 1951 with a home clash against Huddersfield, and last
season's League Two champions Yeovil face a trip to Oldham.
Fellow promoted clubs Southend and Swansea host Port Vale and Tranmere
respectively while Scunthorpe travel to the capital to face Brentford.
English football's bottom division welcomes back Barnet and Carlisle following
their promotion from the Conference last season, with the Bees hosting Bristol
Rovers and the Cumbrians making the long trip to Wycombe.
