CHRIS Wilder admitted he is already relishing Oxford United’s League Two opener.

The U’s were handed a trip to Portsmouth on the first day of the 2013/14 season when the fixtures were unveiled yesterday.

And although it means that United have now been on the road for the opening match in each of the last four seasons, a game at title favourites Pompey has whetted the appetite ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Wilder’s men will also be away on the final day of the season again, this time travelling to Northampton.

But the U’s did have the bonus of finally being handed a home match on Boxing Day, when they will entertain Plymouth.

However, it was the opening-day fixture at Fratton Park on Saturday, August 3 that had Wilder buzzing.

“It’s the stand-out fixture on the opening day,” United’s boss said.

“There will be an absolutely cracking atmosphere there, I am sure that we will take a really big following there and it has the makings of a cracking match.”

He added: “Both teams will undergo a lot of changes this summer, but both clubs have a great footballing tradition and it’s certainly a great one to start with.”

The match will see United come up against striker Tom Craddock, who was released from the Kassam Stadium at the end of last season and who agreed a two-year deal with Portsmouth.

And Pompey are now managed by Guy Whittingham, who played one game on loan with the U’s in 2000, scoring against Swindon.

The match with Portsmouth will see the sides meet for the first time since 1998 when they drew 2-2 at Fratton Park.

Wilder added: “Portsmouth are the hot favourites with the bookies to win the game, so we can go there and see what we can do.

“I think when the fixtures come out people start getting excited about the season, and that’s certainly the same with me.”

United’s first visit to Newport County will be on New Year’s Day, with other stand-out matches including Wycombe Wanderers at home on August 24, a week after the U’s have visited Torquay.

Their first match at the Kassam Stadium is against Bury on August 10. Interestingly, United have no away midweek league matches until 2014.