Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Blackburn Rovers will have the superior edge in facing newly promoted Derby County on the season's opening weekend. The home side are unbeaten in their previous four games against Derby County, with Derby County failing to keep a clean sheet in their last four meetings.

This could be a high-scoring fixture, with the last five fixtures between the two teams landing the Over 2.5 market. Sammie Szmodics’ future could lie elsewhere, so Blackburn could look to the new signing Makthar Gueye. Makhtar Gueye scored 11 goals in 28 starts for Charleroi last season, averaging 1.3 shots on target per game. James Collins is expected to provide the goal threat for Derby County. Collins averaged 0.7 shots on target per game last season.

Lewis Travis and Eiran Cashin are expected to be among the players for potential fouls. Travis averaged 1.5 fouls per game last season, with Cashin averaging 1.1. We are predicting Blackburn Rovers will win 2-1 in this game.

Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Derby County

Blackburn Rovers will be hoping for life in the Championship to be more assured this season; however, with recent news regarding a particular asset, they may be set for another season of struggle. Blackburn hosts a newly promoted Derby County, who finally escaped League One last season, along with Portsmouth and Oxford United.

Date: 09/08/2024

Location: Ewood Park

Kick-Off: 8 pm

Blackburn Rovers endured a difficult season last year, with the club being lumbered in the relegation places throughout the season. Blackburn Rovers survived on the final day, taking advantage of Leicester City’s comfortable position as league champions and results elsewhere to secure another season in the second tier of English Football. The hero that day was former Peterborough United midfielder Sammie Szmodics.

Sammie Szmodics scored 27 of Blackburn Rovers’ 62 tally last season, which assured their survival for another campaign. The issue that Blackburn Rovers are now presented with is that the starman from the previous season has reportedly been tempted to move away from Ewood Park. The Irish international has recently been linked with a move to newly promoted Ipswich Town in the Premier League, with the lure of Premier League football indeed too difficult to turn down for Szmodics.

Derby County’s decision not to remove Paul Warne following the disappointing first season in League One proved to be a masterstroke for those involved. Derby County returned to the second tier of English Football at the second time of asking by finishing second behind eventual league winners Portsmouth.

Derby County’s defensive record brought the Rams promotion with 22 clean sheets from 46 games. Derby County conceded 0.8 goals per game, and defensive performances from Eiran Cashin proved pivotal for the promotion season.Derby County have looked to strengthen the market by bringing in the likes of Kayden Jackson from Ipswich Town, Jerry Yates from Swansea and Ben Osborn from Sheffield United

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Football.

Blackburn Rovers Team News

Blackburn could look to the new signing Makthar Gueye to replace Szmodics based on the recent speculation surrounding him. Blackburn lined up in a 3-1-4-2 formation in the final game of last season against Leicester.

Derby County Team News

Derby County traditionally lineout in a 3-1-4-2 formation, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Ryan Nyambe as wing-backs.

Blackburn Rovers ended the season with two wins from their previous four, which was enough to secure their survival. The home side are unbeaten in their last four games against Derby County, with Derby County failing to keep a clean sheet in their previous four meetings.

The home side have had a respectable yet could have done better pre-season. Blackburn Rovers remained unbeaten in pre-season, having won three of their six games, drawing twice and losing once. Blackburn Rovers’ run of fixtures included teams from across Europe, such as Nurnberg, and eventually, they played the likes of Tranmere Rovers and Wigan Athletic.

Blackburn Rovers' previous win was a 0-1 win over Stockport County in their final pre-season game, with their last competitive win being against Leicester City. Sammie Szmodics scored a brace against a side already preparing for the Premier League that day.

Derby County finished the season firmly as the Rams secured promotion back to the Championship. Paul Warne’s side ended the season with four wins from the remaining six League One games, including the promotion win at home to relegated Carlisle United at the end of the season.

Derby County’s pre-season preparation was mixed, as they won three of their six games. One of the more notable victories was a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid, thanks to goals from David Ozoh and Kane Wilson. Derby County have an uninspiring away record in their last five domestic matches, having only won twice away from Pride Park in their previous five.
Their last away victory was all-important, as Derby County held out for a 1-0 win over Cambridge United thanks to a goal from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

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