The Bluebirds had been on the verge of promotion to the top flight in recent years, but were beaten to the tag of being the first Welsh club in the Premier League when their local rivals beat Reading 4-2 in the play-off final at Wembley.

Some are already writing off the capital club's chances of promotion next term with players such as Michael Chopra and Chris Burke leaving and Craig Bellamy returning to Manchester City following the end of his season-long loan.

But Mackay, who has moved from Watford to succeed Dave Jones, believes his side will be in the mix for the title from the moment the action begins on August 6, as well as the chance of facing the Swans in a south Wales Premier League derby.

Former Norwich and West Ham defender Mackay said: "I realise the passion and commitment from this part of the world and the fervour and support this club has.

"Everyone will be going into the race to win it, and we are going to be one of the clubs who are going to be in that race to win the title.

"I am aware of the rivalry (with Swansea) I come from Glasgow where there is a small rivalry! Even going to Norfolk and Suffolk I could not believe the rivalry.

"There is an immense rivalry between the clubs and the areas and Brendan (Rodgers) did a fantastic job in getting them up and I would like nothing more than to be having a south Wales derby for three points in the Premier League."

In the opening day's other fixtures Steve McClaren's Nottingham Forest side face Barnsley at the City Ground, with the Tykes also under new management in the form of Keith Hill.

Blackpool`s return to the second tier after their eventful flirtation with the Premier League starts at Hull, another side who will be quietly confident of being in the mix at the end of the season.

League One champions Brighton will open their new American Express Community Stadium with a game against Doncaster - the side they played when they left their last permanent home of the Goldstone Ground in 1997.

Beaten play-off finalists Reading will start their bid to go one better this time around against Millwall at the Madjeski Stadium while Leeds start their campaign against League One runners-up Southampton.

Ipswich travel to Bristol City, Coventry face Leicester in the M69 derby and League One play-off winners Peterborough face Crystal Palace.

Elsewhere, Burnley face Watford at Turf Moor, newly-relegated and managerless Birmingham start with a tricky trip to Derby, and Portsmouth make the long trek to Middlesbrough.