Jake Buxton believes Burton Albion will get an early chance to "find out where we are at" in League One.
The Brewers open their campaign at home to Rochdale on August 4, before taking on Gillingham (August 11), Doncaster Rovers (August 18), Bradford City (August 21) and Oxford United (August 25) to round out the first month of the season.
While none of that quintet featured in last season's top 10, Rochdale, Gillingham and Bradford have all been League One teams for at least the last four campaigns.
And Brewers skipper Buxton believes facing such opponents in the formative weeks of 2018-19 will give his side the chance to measure themselves up against some of the third-tiers established outfits, as Burton look to take a place near the top of the division and mount a promotion challenge.
"I think that the first three or four fixtures are good fixtures for us," he said.
"To play our first game of the season at home will be good for the supporters and it will be good for us to get the season underway.
"Hopefully we can get a good result.
"Doncaster have been League One regulars for a while, as have Bradford, so we will be pitting ourselves against some of the good sides in the division and can find out where we are at."
Burton Albion catch-up
Nigel Clough has previously spoken about the need for his side to hit the ground running in League One after two seasons of battling to keep their heads above water.
"Getting off to a reasonably good start will be key, absolutely key," he said last month.
Given that five of their first six opponents finished in the bottom half last season, there looks to be an opportunity there - if they can produce the requisite performances.
The run-in, though, throws up some challenging games for Albion against a host of sides likely to be battling for promotion.
Sunderland, Barnsley, Scunthorpe United, Portsmouth and Peterborough United all feature in the final seven matches.
For that, Buxton knows how important it will be for the Brewers to have rediscovered their Pirelli Stadium confidence.
"The thing that stands out to us is the tough run-in at the end," added Buxton.
"If we are competing in and around that top six, the atmosphere will be good at home, as it has been.
"It is important that we get that home form back to how it has been for the last 10 years.
"As soon as the fixtures are announced, you start to home in on preparation.
"You work week by week, game by game, so as soon as you see the fixtures, you basically plan your life around that.
"It is a nice feeling to get the fixtures and know where we are at."
