Chairboys in the Champ: Wycombe Wanderers vs Rotherham United

Adams Park, the home of Championship football

Ladies and Gentlemen this is the moment we have all been waiting for, Michael Buffer's voice rings around Adams Park. Or so we could have hoped. Unfortunately, we won't hear the tones of our own Michael (Kenny) or even step foot inside Adams Park for our first ever Championship fixture. Perhaps it is the price to pay for our PPG gift.

Nonetheless, after 134 years of football Wycombe Wanderers will grace England's second tier for the very first time against promotion buddies, Rotherham United.

OPPONENTS: Rotherham United

The 'Millers' return to Championship action after securing promotion back to England's second-tier at the first time of asking.

Warne was well known to the Rotherham fans prior to his appointment in November of 2016 as he featured over 250 times for the South Yorkshire side as a player.

Warne with his 'feet' on approach

'Warniola' has mastered the art of promotion to the Championship, last season being the second time he has got promoted with the Millers. This year, Warne and Rotherham will be hoping it isn't "to me, to you" between the Championship and League One.

FORM:

Rotherham were knocked out of the League Cup on penalties by Salford City following the same fate as the Chairboys (penalty defeat to Brentford).

Before last Saturday's defeat, Rotherham hadn't played a competitive match since March, so there will be some cobwebs to dust away for Warne's men.

Wycombe haven't lost to Rotherham since March 2001, winning five and drawing four of the last nine encounters.

SQUAD NEWS:

Rotherham have strengthened well this summer in the hope that it'll earn them safety come May 2021. Angus Macdonald and Wes Harding joined to bolster the Millers backline and the arrival of Kieran Sadlier, who was linked to Wycombe, will provide even more of a threat out wide. Despite Rotherham notching the second most goals in League One last season (61), striker Mickel Miller has arrived from Hamilton Academical to partner up with the impressive Freddie Ladapo.

New signing, Horgan, scoring on his debut

For the Wanderers, shrewd business is the focus at Adams Park. The arrivals of Ryan Tafazoli and Daryl Horgan has sparked excitement as well as the signing of the Beast's apprentice, Uche Ikpeazu. Perhaps the introduction of a new B Team will count for as a big of a signing as the Chairboys could've hoped for this season. The returns of Jason McCarthy and David Stockdale further solidifies the squad's dressing room chemistry.

KEY PLAYERS:

Millers fans will be relieved to see starman Matt Crooks feature against Wycombe on Saturday, after being touted by many Championship clubs over the summer. The midfielder earned high praise for his impressive performances last season, earning a place in the PFA League One Team of the Year alongside Joe Jacobson and teammate Michael Ihiekwe.

Crooks racked up nine goals last season and was integral in Rotherham's midfield setup. Expect to see a certain Curtis Thompson lurking around Crooks' every movement in an attempt to nullify the midfielders creativity.

For Wycombe, I could profile a host of names for Saturday's fixture but in a tight season opener, there is only one man to turn to...Fred Onyedinma. The tricky winger's importance this season has doubled with moments of magic being the difference in what is going to be an extremely tough campaign. Fred's quality strike against Fleetwood at the death of the Playoff semi-final showed what he could do when Wycombe needed saving, to which he duly delivered. Fred, it's your time to shine.

PREDICTION:

A season opener is never easy to predict, especially when Rotherham have been out of league action since March but as it was in the playoffs preparation will be key. Warne and Ainsworth both know their squads inside and out and with both teams making healthy additions it does add that extra spice into the pot.

On paper, the Millers are perhaps slight favourites but I think that favours the Chairboys, as it did at Wembley - I'll never forget to mention it. After an impressive display against one of the division's best, Wycombe will be raring to go knowing every game counts in the dogfight for survival. Possibly it will be one too many cobwebs for Warne to hoover up. Wycombe 2-0 Rotherham

Whatever happens on Saturday it will be a spectacle from the sofa to see little old Wycombe Wanderers play in the Championship. Just enjoy the ride and let's see how far Ainsworth can take us on his rockstar rollercoaster.