How Burton Albion have second easiest start to League One 'on paper'

Burton Albion have one of the easiest starts to the season of any League One side - on paper at least.

The Brewers' opening six opponents next season had an average finishing league position of 16.2 in 2017-18.

Only one other third-tier team - Blackpool - is starting their campaign against sides with a lower average.

Burton kick things off at home to Rochdale, who finished 20th last season, avoiding relegation by a single point.

Burton's Jamie Allen could face former side Rochdale on the opening day (Image: Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

They then face Gillingham (17th), Doncaster Rovers (15th), Bradford City (11th), Oxford United (16th) and AFC Wimbledon (18th).

That works out at an average finishing league position in 2017-18 of 16.2, if we assign the recently-relegated teams - Barnsley, Albion and Sunderland - first, second and third respectively, and the newly promoted sides - Accrington Stanley, Luton Town, Wycombe Wanderers and Coventry City - 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th.

Of course, by the time the season comes around there will be other factors that will make each of the Brewers' early games either more or less daunting, such as injuries, departures and new signings.

Burton Albion catch-up

But the numbers do give an indication of the opportunity Albion could have to get off to a positive start.

Nigel Clough believes that could be crucial to their promotion hopes after two seasons of battling for results and survival and with a lack of momentum behind them.

At the other end of the spectrum, John Mousinho's Oxford United start with games against Barnsley (first), Fleetwood Town (14th), Portsmouth (eighth), Accrington (21st), the Brewers (second) and Sunderland (third).

That opening set of fixtures works out at an average finishing league position of 8.2 - the highest in the division.