Blackburn Rovers vs Swansea City
7th August 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick Home Win
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 6/5 odds taken 1800 GMT, Thursday 5 August
Russell Martin’s first match as Swansea City manager will see his side go up against Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn Rovers on the opening weekend of the 2021-22 EFL Championship season. Martin did a fine job at MK Dons, but this is a huge step up for the 35-year-old. Rovers will be no pushovers at Ewood Park, and we should be in for an entertaining game on Saturday afternoon.
Table of Contents
Blackburn Rovers Preview – Can Rovers push for the play-offs this term?
Blackburn Rovers had a mediocre season in the Championship last time around. Rovers flirted with the play-offs once or twice but ended in 15th spot. Overall, Tony Mowbray’s troops picked up 15 wins, suffered 19 losses and drew 12 times.
Like several Championship clubs this season, the Blue and Whites will be hunting down a play-off berth. They certainly have quality in their squad, and keeping Adam Armstrong at Ewood Park will be a huge plus for the club. Armstrong scored an impressive 28 league goals last term, finishing behind Golden Boot winner Ivan Toney.
Blackburn are one of the more unpredictable clubs in the league, but they could be ones to keep an eye on this season. Can the Lancashire side start with a massive three points at home this weekend?
Swansea City Preview – Martin’s Swans to start with a narrow defeat?
Swansea City have had a turbulent summer so far. After a gut-wrenching play-off final defeat to Brentford at the end of May, popular manager Steve Cooper opted to leave the club shortly before the new season starts. Cooper did a remarkable job in South Wales, guiding the Swans to the play-offs two seasons in a row.
Russell Martin has arrived at the Liberty Stadium as Cooper’s replacement. Martin received big praise for the way his MK Dons side played football last season, and Swansea have always been known as a possession-based team. Can Martin’s philosophies come across in Wales?
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Swansea will be desperate for a positive result at Ewood Park this weekend, but this will no doubt be a tough opener for last season’s play-off finalists. Blackburn are the slight favourites in this one.
Blackburn Rovers vs Swansea City Betting Advice
Swansea picked up four points from the two Championship meetings last season. Back in October, goals from Ben Cabango and Andre Ayew gave the Swans a 2-0 victory at the Liberty Stadium. The pair then drew 1-1 at Ewood Park in March.
Swansea are unbeaten in seven league games against Rovers, with Blackburn’s last victory over the club from South Wales coming in a Premier League affair back in December 2011.
Key Facts – Blackburn Rovers vs Swansea City Betting Tip
- Blackburn have not beaten the Swans since 2011
- Swansea have made the play-offs in each of the last two seasons
- The Swans took four points from Rovers in the two meetings last term
These two teams look tough to split on paper, especially with this one being the opening game of the new season. In truth, it could go either way at Ewood Park, but we can see Blackburn edging it. The home victory is available at 6/5.
Blackburn won without conceding on eight occasions in last season’s Championship. You can get the solid odds of 6/1 for the hosts to win 1-0 this Saturday.
The best betting odds for Blackburn Rovers vs Swansea City
Blackburn Rovers to win: 6/5 at Bet365
Draw: 12/5 at Bet365
Swansea City to win: 21/10 at Bet365
