Blackburn vs Derby Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

It is the moment English football fans have been waiting for as the new season kicks off this Friday night in the Championship, and Jack Wright is on hand to provide his Blackburn vs Derby prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

As the first game of the season this match carries extra significance. Both teams are tipped to struggle so will be eager to start on the front foot and set a positive tone for the months ahead. The result could provide a crucial psychological boost or an early wake-up call.

1. Blackburn vs Derby Tip 1: Under 2.5 Goals
2. Blackburn vs Derby Tip 2: Both Teams to Score – No
3. Blackburn vs Derby Tip 3: Joe Rankin-Costello over 0.5 Shots on Target

2024/25 Season Preview on The Football Betting Pod: Abundant Ante-Post Angles

We’re back, as host Daniel Jenkins is joined by bettingexpert Football Editor, Sam Ingram, and bettingexpert contributor, Jack Wright, who serve up fifteen selections between them.

The pair take a forensic look at the ante-post outright betting markets with the aim of serving up a number of value selections ahead of the return of domestic football in the Premier League, Championship, League One and Two.

Blackburn vs Derby Prediction 1: Resilient Rovers to repel Rams raid

England, Championship, Friday, August 9th, 20:00 (UK)

Blackburn will be looking to use home advantage to give their long suffering fans some early cheer on the opening night of the new Championship season. Rovers only secured their status in the second tier on the final day of what was a torrid 2023/24 campaign.

Things were fairly chaotic under Jon Dahl Tomasson highlighted by the fact only one of the sides outside of the top nine scored more than their 60 goals but only the bottom two conceded more than their 74. After the Danes departure in February, John Eustace was brought in to steady the ship.

Although the former Birmingham boss won only four of his 17 games in charge he crucially only lost five. There was noticeably more structure and discipline – and less goals with 18 scored and 19 conceded.

In the opposition dugout Paul Warne has a point to prove. Brought in by Derby as a League One specialist he duly delivered automatic promotion as he had done three times previously with former club Rotherham. But never once kept the Millers in the Championship suffering three relegations, ironically leaving them in 8th place to take the County job.

Question marks have been raised as to Warne’s style of play and whether it can be successful at this level. His determination to avoid defeat coupled with potential opening night pragmatism from the hosts means I foresee a tight and cagey affair at Ewood Park.

Having landed in six of Eustace’s eight home games in charge under 2.5 goals looks the play.

• Blackburn vs Derby Prediction 1: Under 2.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Blackburn vs Derby Prediction 2: Rovers Return looking to keep it clean 

The main talking point ahead of this clash has been the future of Sammie Szmodics. The 2023/24 Championship top scorer plundered 27 league goals on his way to last season’s Golden Boot but is unlikely to feature on Friday night amid intense speculation Ipswich are desperate to add him to their Premier League crusade.

With direct involvement in 51% of Rovers’ 60 league goals last term, including both strikes in the final-day win, which secured their safety, the 28-year-old all but single-handedly kept them in the division. He has not featured in any pre-season game since mid-July so it would be a huge gamble for Eustace to include him. His absence clearly leaves a massive void to fill with strike partner Sam Gallagher having already departed for Stoke.

Recruitment has seen the additions of promising Championship newcomers Makhtar Gueye and Yuki Ohashi alongside the more familiar Andreas Weimann. Rovers fans will be hoping at least one of those three can hit the ground running.

At the other end, there has been a focus on strengthening the goalkeeper position. Rumours of moves for John Ruddy and Tim Krul came to nothing, but former Everton youngster Jack Barrett has been snapped up.

Pride Park alarm bells

Certainly the acquisitions of experienced Championship defenders Danny Batth and Kyle McFadzean add a further robustness to that backline.

Pre-season defeats to Chesterfield, Shrewsbury and Barnsley would have rung alarm bells at Pride Park. But the 2-1 victory over La Liga outfit Valladolid in their final warm up fixture at least sends the Rams to Lancashire in good heart.

Max Bird will be a big miss having remained on loan with his boyhood club after being sold to Bristol City in January. Conor Hourihane also leaves a creative void in midfield having remained in League One with Barnsley.

The loan signing of Jerry Yates is an interesting one if he can rediscover his Blackpool form while fellow loanee David Ozoh, a defensive midfielder from Crystal Palace could prove to be an excellent capture.

With James Collins as the other striking option, I am not convinced Warne quite has the players to fit his desired style. Plenty of question marks remain for both sides as attacking units, and therefore, it is more than likely at least one will fail to get on the scoresheet on Friday.

Both teams scored in just two of Blackburn’s final nine games last season, while it was two in eight of the Rams’ in League One.

• Blackburn vs Derby Prediction 2: Both Teams to Score – No
• Best Odds: 2.20
• Bookmaker: SkyBet
• Stake: 6/10

Blackburn vs Derby Prediction 3: Joe hitting the target Rankin as my best bet

My final selection is for Joe Rankin-Costello to have at least one shot on target. The 25-year-old has benefited from the arrival of John Eustace at Ewood Park, having initially been frozen out by Jan Dahl Tomasson before being used as a right-back.

Injuries limited his appearances last season, but he ended the campaign strongly, featuring in midfield. He has had an eye-catching pre-season, scoring Blackburn’s first goal of the summer and getting on the scoresheet after just 12 minutes of the 2-1 defeat of Accrington.

Tellingly following that fixture Rankin-Costello revealed how his manager likes him coming inside to influence the play and was happy being played as a number eight which he felt suited him. Forming an impressive partnership alongside Sondre Tronstad, where he is tasked with getting forward, makes this selection seem like a slice of value.

Ending last season with 15 shots from the final seven games, five were on target and Rankin-Costello has scored in two of his five pre-season outings this summer. Crucially though for a player who has had injury issues he has played the full 90 in each of his last four appearances in Blackburn’s fixtures ahead of the new campaign.

• Blackburn vs Derby Prediction 3: Joe Rankin-Costello over 0.5 Shots on Target
• Best Odds: 2.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Blackburn vs Derby Prediction odds via bet365 and SkyBet as at 09:00, August 7th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Blackburn vs Derby Team News and Possible Lineups: Looks like it’s all Rover for super Sammie

As already mentioned the key team news will centre around Sammie Szmodics. If he is mentally and physically able to start that would be a massive boost to Blackburn – but of course that also runs the risk of injury and ends the chance of the much needed cash windfall.

David Ozoh, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates and former Nottingham Forest star Ben Osborn will all be looking to make their Rams debuts.

Blackburn possible starting lineup:
Pears; Carter, Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Tronstad, Travis, Rankin-Costello; Dolan, Gueye, Ohashi

Derby possible starting lineup:
Vickers; Wilson, Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth; Ozoh, Goudmijn, Osborn; Mendez-Laing, Collins, Jackson.

Match Stats: Rovers Return to action looking to extend winning Rams run

• Blackburn have won their last 5 home matches against Derby in all competitions.
• Derby-born Ben Osborn is a cult hero with arch rivals Nottingham Forest after his first goal for them was a 92nd-minute winner…..against Derby in 2015
• Blackburn had agreed a deal to sign Robert Lewandowski in 2010 but the ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano grounded all flights and the deal fell through.
• Derby’s points haul of 92 last season is a club record

Blackburn Fixtures: Short trips to Lancashire rivals adds spice to Blackburn’s start

• Vs Norwich (a)
• Vs Oxford (h)
• Vs Burnley (a)
• Vs Bristol City (h)
• Vs Preston (a)

Derby Fixtures: Promotion chasers top and tail Derby’s next five

• Vs Middlesbrough (h)
• Vs Watford (a)
• Vs Bristol City (h)
• Vs Cardiff (a)
• Vs Sheffield United (h)

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