As Hull City and Bristol City prepare to kick off their Championship campaigns at the MKM Stadium, anticipation is high.
Both teams have their eyes on a strong start, making this clash a thrilling prospect.
Hull City vs Bristol City: Match Preview
Hull City narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season, leading to the controversial dismissal of manager Liam Rosenior.
His replacement, Tim Walter, brings experience from his time at Hamburger SV, but Hull's pre-season form under his leadership has been uninspiring, with no wins and a string of draws.
In contrast, Bristol City enjoyed a productive pre-season with four wins, showcasing their attacking depth.
Manager Liam Manning will be looking to build on their 11th-place finish last season and push for a playoff spot.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Hull
Walter is expected to rely on the core of the team that played against Reading in their final pre-season match.
Marvin Mehlem is set to make another appearance, possibly alongside Jean Michael Seri, who could replace Xavier Simons in midfield. Oscar Estupinan is likely to lead the attack.
Predicted XI: Pandur; Drameh, Jones, McLoughlin, Giles; Seri, Slater; Omur, Mehlem, Longman; Estupinan.
Bristol City
Manning is likely to keep faith in the lineup that performed well in pre-season, though he has options to rotate, especially in attack.
Mark Sykes and Fally Mayulu are pushing for starts, while Taylor Gardner-Hickman could be introduced in a more defensive setup.
Predicted XI: O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring, Knight, Bird; Mehmeti, Bell, Wells, Armstrong.
Prediction
Hull City, under a new manager, may face a tough challenge against a well-prepared Bristol City.
However, the home advantage and the need to prove themselves could tip the scales in Hull's favour.
A tight match is expected, but Hull City might just edge it with a 2-1 victory.
Hull 
Bristol City 
