Blackburn Rovers host newly promoted Derby County at Ewood Park in the opening match of 2024-25 Sky Bet Championship.
Victory would see Blackburn or Derby go top of the table heading into the weekend if can better the result of Preston’s match against Sheffield United.
Team News
Sammie Szmodics is a doubt for Blackburn after heavy speculation around his future this summer in the transfer window.
Ryan Hedges (fitness) faces a late fitness test as he continues his comeback from a hamstring injury.
Scott Wharton (knee) remains ruled out but Makhtar Gueye, Yuki Ohashi, Danny Batth, Kyle McFadzean and Andi Weimann could be in contention for their debuts.
Derby expect Ebou Adams and Ryan Nyambe to be available despite missing training this week.
Joe Ward remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Adams alongside; Corey Blackett-Taylor, Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson, Kenzo Goudmijn, Emmanuel Ilesanmi and Rohan Luthra could make their debuts.
When is Kick-Off?
Blackburn host Derby at Ewood Park on Friday 9 August at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Blackburn have lost one of their last ten league meetings against Derby (W8, D1, L1).
- Derby have claimed just one point in their last six trips to Blackburn (D1, L5).
- Each of Blackburn’s last three home wins over Derby have been by one-goal margins.
- Blackburn have won each of their last three opening fixtures in a new season, which all came at home (W3).
- Derby are unbeaten in three of their last five opening weekend fixtures (W2, D1, L2).
Prediction
After a season littered with spells of inconsistency throughout, Blackburn have done well to keep hold of Szmodics given his quality amidst interest, but this is a chance to reset and be more defensively resilient.
Derby meanwhile have invested well following their promotion and with an experienced forward line, I do see them adapting well back into the second tier but this will be an early test due to their poor form at Ewood Park.
In fact, I do feel like this game will be tight but if Blackburn can score first then they should nick it.
Prediction: Blackburn 1-0 Derby
Result: Blackburn 4-2 Derby
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