It's set to be another enthralling campaign of shock results, dramatic late goals and, let's be honest, questionable refereeing decisions, in what should be one of the most competitive seasons of second-tier football in some time.
Now, a particularly brutal run of fixtures at the end start or the end of a season can see a side's hopes of promotion or avoiding relegation, and today's fixture release could have left some teams sweating over how their run of matches will affect their overall season objectives.
Here's a look at where the bookies think Middlesbrough and every other side will finish in the 2021/22 Championship table, following today's big fixture release:
. MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Marc Bola (top) joins the celebrations after Marcus Tavernier (#7) of Middlesbrough had scored the second Boro goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Preston North End at Riverside Stadium on March 16, 2021 in Middlesbrough, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
How Middlesbrough, QPR & more will fare in the 2021/22 Championship final table - according to the bookies Photo: Stu Forster
. 1st - Fulham
Current odds of winning the Championship: 11/2. Last season's final table position: 18th in the Premier League. First fixture of the season: Home to Middlesbrough. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
. 2nd - West Bromwich Albion
Current odds of winning the Championship: 6/1. Last season's final table position: 19th in the Premier League. First fixture of the season: Away to West Bromwich Albion. Photo: Pool
. 3rd - Sheffield United
Current odds of winning the Championship: 8/1. Last season's final table position: 20th in the Premier League. First fixture of the season: Home to Birmingham City. Photo: ALEX PANTLING
. 4th - Bournemouth
Current odds of winning the Championship: 10/1. Last season's final table position: 6th in the Championship. First fixture of the season: Home to West Bromwich Albion. Photo: Jan Kruger
. 5th - Swansea City
Current odds of winning the Championship: 14/1. Last season's final table position: 4th in the Championship. First fixture of the season: Away to Blackburn Rovers. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
. 6th - Nottingham Forest
Current odds of winning the Championship: 18/1. Last season's final table position: 17th in the Championship. First fixture of the season: Away to Coventry City. Photo: Alex Pantling
. 7th - Barnsley
Current odds of winning the Championship: 20/1. Last season's final table position: 5th in the Championship. First fixture of the season: Away to Barnsley. Photo: George Wood
. 8th - Cardiff City
Current odds of winning the Championship: 20/1. Last season's final table position: 8th in the Championship. First fixture of the season: Home to Barnsley. Photo: Ross Kinnaird
. 9th - QPR
Current odds of winning the Championship: 20/1. Last season's final table position: 9th in the Championship. First fixture of the season: Home to Millwall. Photo: Clive Rose
1. 1st - Fulham
Current odds of winning the Championship: 11/2. Last season's final table position: 18th in the Premier League. First fixture of the season: Home to Middlesbrough. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
2. 2nd - West Bromwich Albion
Current odds of winning the Championship: 6/1. Last season's final table position: 19th in the Premier League. First fixture of the season: Away to West Bromwich Albion. Photo: Pool
3. 3rd - Sheffield United
Current odds of winning the Championship: 8/1. Last season's final table position: 20th in the Premier League. First fixture of the season: Home to Birmingham City. Photo: ALEX PANTLING
4. 4th - Bournemouth
Current odds of winning the Championship: 10/1. Last season's final table position: 6th in the Championship. First fixture of the season: Home to West Bromwich Albion. Photo: Jan Kruger