Managers are fond of saying the season is a marathon and not a sprint but, whatever the length of the race, it helps to get off to a good start.
The battle for promotion to the promised land of the Premier League kicks off in the Championship on Friday, August 3 when new Derby manager Frank Lampard takes his side to Reading in a televised encounter.
The former England midfielder, one of the greatest players of his generation, has replaced Gary Rowett in the Pride Park hot-seat and has certainly made all the right noises since his appointment.
Derby reached the play-offs under Rowett last term but he left amid concerns over the level of funding he would receive this season.
Stoke, armed with ambition and parachute payments following their slide into the second tier, appear a decent bet to return from whence they came.
Make no mistake, though, Derby are one of the biggest clubs outside the top flight and Lampard's first home game is against another of English football's fallen giants on Saturday, August 11 when Leeds United come to town.
Leeds last played in the Premier League in 2004 but ambition pulses around Elland Road once again following the appointment of Argentine legend Marcelo Bielsa.
The 62-year-old, rated by Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino as one of the finest managerial brains in world football, will face Rowett’s Stoke in his first game in charge.
The game at Elland Road will be televised on Sunday, August 5 and should give an early indication of both teams’ promotion credentials.
Stoke have big money to spend, but Leeds are also expected to splash the cash with Bielsa understood to have a number of signings lined up.
Steve Bruce faces a reunion with Hull City as Aston Villa travel to the KCOM Stadium on Monday, August 6.
Other notable opening-day fixtures are newly-promoted Wigan's home clash with Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea's trip to Sheffield United.
Leeds host Middlesbrough in an early-season heavyweight showdown on September 1 while Birmingham host neighbours West Brom a fortnight later.
The end of the month sees Sheffield Wednesday face Leeds at Hillsborough on Saturday, September 29 while a Lancashire derby between Bolton and Blackburn takes place at the Macron Stadium on Saturday, October 6.
On Saturday, November 10 the Steel City rivals clash at Bramall Lane in a fixture that is never for the faint of heart.
A fortnight later, Villa host Second City rivals Birmingham while Rowett's Stoke host Lampard's Derby in a huge clash on Wednesday, November 28.
On Saturday, December 1, Bolton face local rivals Wigan on the same day that Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United and Leeds meet at Bramall Lane.
There are some huge Boxing Day bouts with Middlesbrough hosting Sheffield Wednesday, Derby going to Sheffield United and Swansea facing Aston Villa.
As clubs chase the £200million prize of promotion next May and indeed battle for survival, there are more mouthwatering fixtures on the final day.
Villa host Norwich, West Brom travel to Derby and Stoke face Sheffield United.
