The EFL finally makes its long-anticipated return this weekend, and one of the opening fixtures of the Championship season takes place at the new-look Ashton Gate, where Bristol City will play host to League 1 Champions Wigan Athletic.

The opening day is one of the most important events on any fans footballing calendar, so both sides will be hoping for a positive result on Saturday to get their respective campaigns off to the ideal start.

These are two sides that are generally expected to finish mid-table, yet both will have quiet aspirations of making a push for the play-offs.

With a fairly even game potentially on the cards, the result of the fixture could come down to a few small margins, so FLW's Tom Percival looks at THREE things to look out for that could decide the result one way or the other....

 

Will Grigg

He may have become a footballing sensation and taken Euro 2016 by storm without actually ever kicking a ball, but Will Grigg has more serious matters to attend to.

Having proven himself at League 1 level time and again, he is yet to truly establish himself in the Championship, and that has to be the aim this time around.

Wigan will once again be looking to rely on him for goals, not just on Saturday but throughout the season If he can show the predatory instincts he showed in the tier below, the Northern Irishman should be absolutely fine, and the Robins' back line will need to be very wary of him on Saturday.

Bristol City's attacking threat

The Robins will be hopeful that they can get their season off to a good start with a newly promoted side at home, and with the attacking prowess they have at their disposal, it could spell trouble for the Wigan defence.

Jonathon Kodjia was hugely impressive last campaign and will hope to pick up where he left off, and the permanent acquisition of Lee Tomlin means they have an attack to be feared by almost everyone in the Championship.

The Latics defence wouldn't have faced anything anywhere near that quality in League 1 last term, so will need to adapt to life at this level very quickly if they are to leave Bristol with anything.

The importance of set-pieces

In a game that could be as tight as this, there's a good chance that it could be decided by a corner or a free kick, and with the aerial strength that both sides possess, it could be a crucial factor.

For the home side, Aden Flint has been the source of a lot of goals in recent years, and with the centre back standing at 6ft 6in, it is easy to see why.

However, the away side have a weapon of their own in new signing Dan Burn from Fulham, who is 6ft 7in, and so will be huge threat to any side when the Latics get a corner.

It will be a fascinating battle to watch throughout the 90 minutes on Saturday, and may go some way to deciding who ends up with the 3 points.