Blackburn v West Brom

Blackburn Rovers vs West Brom Preview

Blackburn Rovers will take on West Brom at Ewood Park in what is expected to be closely fought season opener up in Lancashire as only three points separated the two clubs at the end of last season's Championship campaign, with both sides narrowly missing out on a play-off place.

Only an inferior goal difference to Sunderland resulted in the Black Cats grabbing sixth place and the last of the play-off spots at the end of last term but Blackburn will be rueing the fact that they managed to collect just one win in their final 10 matches of last season which they'll be hoping to make amends for this time around.

However, Blackburn Rovers will have been boosted by an encouraging pre-season which saw Rovers lose just once in their four games prior to the start of this new Championship season and included victories over Barnsley and Stockport County.

Blackburn have registered just one win in their last seven matches on home soil though at Ewood Park so it may be best to delve into the goals market for this opening clash, especially as five of Blackburn's last seven home games have resulted in Under 2.5 goals.

Only three points separated West Brom and the play-off pack at the end of last season's campaign in the Championship but The Baggies also suffered a sharp decline in form and results in the latter stages of the run-in, winning just three of their last 10 matches overall which proved to be their undoing.

Indeed, three defeats in their last four matches saw West Brom's hopes of a top six finish fly out of the proverbial window having been dealt defeats by Sunderland, Sheffield United and Swansea City and if the west midlands club are to mount a serious challenge for the play-offs this season, The Baggies will need to improve results away from home.

West Brom won just two of their last 10 outings on the road and suffered no fewer than seven defeats in the process, while four of West Brom's last seven away games have also resulted in Under 2.5 goals being scored.

Blackburn Rovers v West Brom Verdict

Previous encounters between Blackburn Rovers and West Brom have been close run tussles with only a single goal separating the two teams (if indeed there is a winner), while three of the previous five meetings have resulted in low-scoring games and have seen two goals or less scored.

A low-scoring game could well be on the cards here then, with perhaps West Brom stealing a narrow 1-0 victory.

Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 1.80

Other side bets worth considering:

West Brom win @ 2.70

Correct score: West Brom 1-0 @ 8.00