Following their relegation from the Championship last term, Rotherham United will kick off life back in League One with a trip to Exeter City in their curtain-raiser on Saturday.
Steve Evans will aim to guide the Millers straight back up to England's second tier this term, while their hosts will aim to build on last season's 13th-placed finish.
Match preview
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Exeter City head into their 2024-25 League One season under the tutelage of Gary Caldwell on the back of two secure mid-table finishes on their return to England's third tier with the aim of kicking on this term.
After ending their first campaign back in the division in 14th spot in 2023, the Grecians again impressed last time around, picking up a tally of 61 points, five more than the previous campaign, to finish 13th.
In their 46 games, Caldwell's men managed 17 victories, with six of those coming in their last nine outings to steer well clear of the bottom four and move into mid-table, having eventually finished a single point outside of the top half.
They have since undergone a particularly busy pre-season schedule ahead of the new term, turning out in nine friendlies, with their only defeat coming away at Bristol City, while managing six victories, most recently beating Eastleigh 3-0 last Saturday with Tristan Crama, Reece Cole and Josh Magennis netting their goals.
Now aiming to build on their last two solid campaigns and crack the top half, Exeter City will be keen to make a fast start on Saturday and begin with an impressive three-point haul at St James Park.
Their visitors, meanwhile, make the trip south on their return to League One with the aim of kickstarting their bid for an immediate promotion back to England's second tier this season.
After maintaining their Championship status in the 2022-23 season with a 19th-placed finish, Rotherham United were unable to avoid the drop again last time around, finishing at the foot of the division on 27 points, 24 adrift of safety.
That drop was confirmed in early April with five games remaining, and after Leam Richardson's departure later that month, Steve Evans returned to lead the Millers ahead of the final three games and the new term, overseeing a goalless draw with Birmingham City, a 2-0 defeat away to Bristol City and an eye-catching 5-2 beating of Cardiff City on the final day courtesy of braces from Jordan Hugill and Tom Eaves and Sam Nombe's goal.
The South Yorkshire outfit then also undertook a busy pre-season schedule, winning three of their seven pre-season friendlies and only losing to Sheffield United before finishing with draws against Grimsby Town and Doncaster Rovers in late July and early August respectively.
Now heading into their first full season under the tutelage of Evans, who led them to back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship in his last tenure as Millers boss between 2012 and 2015, Rotherham United will again have their sights set on climbing to the second tier this season and will set out to kick off with three points on the road in the opening weekend.
Team News
Exeter City will head into the new season without winger Yanic Wildschut, who suffered an injury in their final pre-season friendly against Eastleigh, while fellow wide man Demetri Mitchell is yet to return to full fitness after missing the back end of last term with a long-term injury issue.
Gary Caldwell has bolstered his attacking ranks with the signing of Josh Magennis, and he should start up front alongside Millenic Alli or 19-year-old Sonny Cox, with fellow new arrival Jay Bird also vying for the manager's favour.
Following the departure of Tom Carroll, Ryan Woods should play a key role in the midfield this term after making his loan move from Hull City permanent over the summer, while Zak Jules and Will Aimson are notable losses in defence, likely leaving Tristan Crama to join Pierce Sweeney if Caldwell switches to a new-look back four.
Rotherham United have seen plenty of changes to their squad over the summer, with Sean Morrison, Lee Peltier, Tyler Blackett, Peter Kioso, Shane Ferguson, Sam Clucas and Cafu all departing following their relegation alongside star goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.
Steve Evans has certainly strengthened his ranks since, though, with Sean Raggett, Joe Rafferty, Reece James and former Exeter man Zak Jules arriving and competing to start in defence, while Shaun McWilliams, Liam Kelly, Alex MacDonald and Joe Powell will look to earn debuts in the midfield while Christ Tiehi, Oliver Rathbone and Hakeem Odoffin remain key men in the squad.
Jonson Clarke-Harris, who returned to the Millers over the summer having notched up 79 goals over the last four League One seasons, should start up front alongside Jordan Hugill, with Sam Nombe and summer signings Joseph Hungbo and Detlef Esapa Osong also fighting for spots.
Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Whitworth; Niskanen, Crama, Sweeney, Purrington; Watts, Woods, Cole, Aitchison; Magennis, Cox
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Dawson; MacDonald, Humphreys, Jules, James; Tiehi, Rathbone, McWilliams; Nombe; Hugill, Clarke-Harris
We say: Exeter City 0-2 Rotherham United
While they face a tricky test on the road to start the season, Rotherham United head into the League One campaign with a squad packed with quality and experience at this level, and refreshed under the management of Steve Evans, we back them to kick off with three points on Saturday.
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Sam Varley
