Ten draws: Bristol City v Blackpool, Derby v Huddersfield, Doncaster v Wimbledon, Gillingham v Lincoln, Shrewsbury v Burton, Carlisle v Colchester, Hartlepool v Crawley, Scunthorpe v Swindon, St Johnstone v Motherwell, Dunfermline v Partick.
Best draws: Bristol City v Blackpool, Derby v Huddersfield, Gillingham v Lincoln, Shrewsbury v Burton, Hartlepool v Crawley.
Best weekend bets: Six aways: Manchester City, Oxford, Portsmouth, Newport, Hearts, Kilmarnock.
Best weekend bets: Ten homes: Fulham, Preston, Bolton, Ipswich, Sunderland, Wycombe, Forest Green, Mansfield, Hamilton, Dumbarton.
Pick of the draws: Blackpool, promoted via the play-offs to the Championship last season, will have more momentum than Bristol City, who ended the 2020-21 campaign on a downer. A point is the least the Seasiders can expect. Derby and Huddersfield, who meet on Saturday, were two of last season's underachievers and it's hard to be optimistic about their chances this time. Lincoln, of League One, who came so close to going up last season, have a tricky opening assignment at Gillingham, who on their day are a match for anybody. Manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink worked wonders to turn things around at Burton last season and he won't fear a trip to Shrewsbury. Hartlepool, happy to be returning to the Football League, can share the League Two spoils with Crawley.
Away days: I expect Premier League champions Manchester City to carry on where they left off last season by winning the Community Shield against Leicester on Saturday. With a bit of luck they may even have new signing Tony Grealish playing for them. Oxford, League One high-flyers, should prevail at newly promoted Cambridge and Portsmouth will fancy their chances of opening with a victory at Fleetwood. Lady Luck deserted Newport in last season's League Two play-off final against Morecambe and they appear to have a less taxing task at Oldham. Last Sunday's 2-1 home win over Celtic will have given promoted Hearts plenty of belief and could give them the edge over St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership. Relegated Kilmarnock, who began their Scottish Championship campaign by beating Ayr 2-0 at home on Monday, look good for another three points at Queen of the South.
Homes sweet homes: Bolton, newly promoted to League One, are well worth backing against Milton Keynes Dons, who are reeling from the loss of their manager, Russell Martin, to Swansea. Although relegated at the end, Wycombe did themselves proud in the Championship last season and their opening fixture back in League One should bring them maximum points against Accrington. Mansfield, of League Two, are confident of improving on last season's 16th placing and I'm tipping them to defeat Bristol Rovers, who finished bottom of League One in 2020-21.
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