West Brom open the new 2025/26 Championship campaign by welcoming Blackburn to the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon. The Baggies finished in ninth place in the league last season, finishing in the top half of the table but missing out on the play-offs.
Blackburn finished two places above West Brom in seventh, but they too just missed out on the play-off spots. Both teams will be aiming to try and break into them come the end of the season, and be within a chance of being promoted up to the Premier League.
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Key stats
- West Brom only won one of their four pre-season friendlies prior to this clash.
- Blackburn won four of their five pre-season friendlies, but lost 3-1 to NEC last time out.
- Blackburn have only lost one of the previous seven H2Hs in all competitions.
Correct score prediction: West Brom 1-1 Blackburn
Blackburn should be more than a match to West Brom despite being the away side, based on their pre-season form and superior position in the league table last season. However, on home soil and with the added pressure to get off to a good start, the Baggies could still steal a point.
Pre-game odds and win probability: West Brom fancied by bookmakers
- HOME: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, West Brom are favourites with bookmakers to open the new campaign with all three points on home soil. A draw is rated at just under 30%, while a Blackburn victory away from home can be backed at just over 20%.
Meanwhile, remember to take a peek at our football betting tips page if you would like to look at more predictions this week.
Most recent H2Hs: Blackburn to have psychological edge?
As mentioned before, Blackburn have only lost once in the last seven H2Hs between the two sides in all competitions. This could give the visitors a psychological edge as they prepare to travel to the Midlands, and gain what would be an unlikely result according to the bookmakers.
England Championship 12/02/25
West Brom
Blackburn
England Championship 23/10/24
Blackburn
West Brom
England Championship 13/01/24
West Brom
Blackburn
England Championship 05/08/23
Blackburn
West Brom
England Championship 15/02/23
West Brom
Blackburn
West Brom preview: Two new signings to start?
West Brom could hand full debuts to a couple of new signings from the summer transfer window in Nat Phillips and Aune Heggebo. Unfortunately, the Baggies will be missing the strike pair of Daryl Dike and Josh Maja through injury though.
Predicted lineup: Griffiths (GK), Furlong, Heggem, Phillips, Styles, Molumby, Mowatt, Fellows, Johnston, Grant & Heggebo
England Championship 03/05/25
W
Luton
3
West Brom
5
England Championship 26/04/25
D
Cardiff
0
West Brom
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Derby
3
West Brom
1
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Coventry
2
West Brom
0
England Championship 12/04/25
W
Watford
1
West Brom
2
Blackburn preview: Injury concerns galore
Both Aynsley Pears and Sidnei Tavares are fitness doubts for Blackburn, and so may not be risked from the start. Hayden Carter and Adam Forshaw are confirmed absentees for Rovers.
Predicted lineup: Toth (GK), Alebiosu, Hyam, McLoughlin, Ribeiro, Travis, Tronstad, De Neve, Tyjon, Hedges & Gueye
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Sheff Utd
1
Blackburn
1
England Championship 26/04/25
W
Watford
1
Blackburn
2
England Championship 21/04/25
W
Sunderland
0
Blackburn
1
England Championship 18/04/25
W
Millwall
1
Blackburn
4
England Championship 12/04/25
W
Luton
0
Blackburn
1
Player to watch: Aune Heggebo
With both Dike and Maja expected to miss out through injury, West Brom could call upon new signing Aune Heggebo to lead the line for them against Blackburn. The striker was prolific for previous club Brann in his native Norway, scoring a total of 41 goals in 121 senior appearances in all competitions for them.