Sheffield United will launch their Championship promotion bid at relegated Birmingham City on Saturday, August 9.The Blades' opening home clash of the 2008/9 season will be against highly-fancied QPR the following Saturday (August 16).

Kevin Blackwell's side will play the first of six South Yorkshire derbies against Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium on September 30, with a trip to Steel City rivals Sheffield Wednesday scheduled for October 18.

The Blades take on Barnsley at Oakwell on November 8, Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace will visit Bramall Lane on December 20 and the home clash against Doncaster is on January 27.

Derby clashes against Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley are on successive weekends at Bramall Lane on February 7 and 14 respectively, while the Blades will conclude their 2008/9 campaign with a trip to Warnock's Palace at Selhurst Park on May 3.

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