With the start of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign just days away, anticipation is building as Wolverhampton Wanderers fans look ahead to their first season under a new manager in four years.
Bruno Lage's arrival has given the Molineux fanbase a greater sense of excitement after an especially dull final campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo in 2020-21, although the lack of backing the Portuguese has received as yet in the transfer market has dampened expectations.
With fans finally able to plan their lives around their club's fixture list once more, it's time to take a look at which games hold special significance for Wolves, and where their points could be won and lost this campaign.
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The start
On paper at least, few teams have as tough a start as Lage's men.
While Wolves only have to travel once during August, they face three teams in European competition in Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, and could conceivably head into the first international break of the season on zero points.
The visit of Spurs coincides with the return of Nuno to Molineux for the first time since his departure in May, along with the return of a full Molineux, for one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in Wolves' recent history.
Following Wanderers' tricky start, things certainly pick up into the autumn. Following the visit of United on August 29, Wolves do not play another member of the 'big six' until Liverpool come to Molineux on December 4. Between the two games, Lage's team go on a run containing favourable matches against Brentford, Newcastle United and Burnley at home, as well as trips to Vicarage Road, St. Mary's, Selhurst Park and Carrow Road.
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The middle
It's a good job that Wolves have an opportunity to pick up points in the autumn months, as their winter is just as tricky as their first month of the season.
Lage's side face nine games against last season's top eight in December, January and February, including trips to the Etihad, the Emirates, Old Trafford and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Home games against relegation candidates Southampton and Watford could bring Wolves some much needed points, but on paper it seems as though the winter months could be a big struggle for Wanderers.
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The end
With Wolves playing so many games against English football's elite over the winter months, you'd expect that they'd be given a fairly kind end to the season. However, that definitely isn't the case this campaign.
Only one big six side visit Molineux in the last three months of the season with defending champions Manchester City coming to town on April 16, but Wolves round off the campaign by visiting two of the last three Champions League winners in their final two away games as they visit Stamford Bridge before rounding off the season at Anfield on May 22.
Unlike in the winter, however, Wolves can counter these tricky trips with some routine home fixtures. Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Norwich Cityall visit Molineux in March, April or May, certainly leaving Wanderers with enough opportunities to cancel out their tricky May away trips.