Blades open with victory PLUS team news from Leeds, Wednesday, Barnsley, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Bradford, Rotherham and York
Goals from Kevin McDonald and Harry Maguire secured all three points in David Weir’s first game in charge as Blades manager.
Championship
Barnsley v Wigan Athletic
Team news: Kelvin Etuhu is missing with a hamstring strain, while talented youngster Paul Digby, who signed a contract extension this week, is missing with a thigh problem. Other than that, Reds manager David Flitcroft has a full squad of players to choose from.
Leeds United v Brighton & HA
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Hide AdTeam news: Rodolph Austin and El-Hadji Diouf are suspended following red cards against Brighton in April. Sam Byram is also still out with the injury that has kept the 2012-13 Player of the Year out throughout pre-season. Noel Hunt, Luke Murphy and Matt Smith are in contention for debuts.
Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town
Team news: Jonathan Hogg, one of eight summer signings by Mark Robins, will be hoping for an early chance to impress following his move from Watford earlier this week. Jack Hobbs will line up against the Terriers following his summer loan move from Hull City to the City Ground. Nottingham Forest chief Billy Davies expects to have a fully-fit squad for the opening game of the season.
QPR v Sheffield Wednesday
Team news: Lewis Buxton (shin splints) misses the trip to the capital and with Kieran Lee due to be out for two months after undergoing a hip operation, Liam Palmer will slot in at right-back. Jacques Maghoma is also out with an ankle injury so unable to make his Owls debut after joining from Burton in the summer. Left-back Reda Johnson is another absentee after missing all of pre-season. QPR are likely to hand new signing from Burnley Charlie Austin a start up front.
Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool
Team news: Ross Turnbull, Bongani Khumalo and Mark Duffy could all make their Rovers bow. But fellow new signings Marc De Val Fernandez and Harry Forrester are sidelined, along with defender Jamie McCombe, out for up to three months with a back injury.
League One
Bristol City v Bradford City
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Hide AdTeam news: Jason Kennedy and Mark Yeates will be pushing for starting roles after joining in the summer, though Matt Taylor may have to be patient after only joining the Bantams two days before the season started. Nahki Wells and James Hanson will lead the attack.
Crewe Alexandra v Rotherham United
Team news: The Millers will assess the fitness of last season’s top-scorer Danny Nardiello, who trained yesterday, before the game. The striker is on the mend following a hamstring injury. New signing Matt Tubbs could make his debut after joining on a six-month loan.
League Two
York City v Northampton Town
Team news: Richard Cresswell is likely to lead the Minstermen attack following his return on a permanent transfer during the summer from Sheffield United. The veteran striker could be joined in the starting line-up by several new faces after a busy close season at Bootham Crescent.