Scott Parker will take Fulham to face newly-promoted Barnsley at Oakwell on the opening day of the new Championship season in August.

The fixtures were announced on Thursday and the Whites are off to South Yorkshire on the opening day as they begin the bid for an immediate return to the Premier League.

The first fixture at Craven Cottage comes a week later when Blackburn Rovers make the journey to the Thames. The first London derby of the new term is scheduled for August 21, with Millwall making the trip to Craven Cottage.

The August schedule ends on the final day of the month, with a sixth league fixture in 28 days, when Parker’s side host Cardiff City – a first tussle with a fellow relegated side from last season.

Looking further ahead to the always-hectic Festive programme, Fulham make the relatively short trip to face Luton on Boxing Day, while Whites fans can welcome in 2020 with a home fixture against Reading on New Year’s Day. Sandwiched in between those games, Stoke City will be the visitors on December 29.

Further down the line is what appears, on paper at least, a tough end to the campaign as Fulham must face Nottingham Forest and West Brom on the road during April alongside home games against Birmingham City, Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday. The Championship season ends with a trip to the DW Stadium to square off against Wigan Athletic on May 2.

Fulham are 9.00 to win the Championship title next season and 3.40 to earn promotion back to England’s top tier.