Wolves vs Blackburn Rovers Preview – prediction, team news, lineups | EFL Championship
Championship football returns in Molineux after nearly a decade.
Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England gears up to host the Matchweek 1 fixtures of the EFL Championship, where home team Wolves take on Blackburn Rovers in what is set to be a thrilling contest between two former Premier League clubs.
After almost a decade, the EFL Championship returns to the Molineux after Wolves were relegated from the English top flight after finishing at the bottom of the table. They roped in Portuguese gaffer Cesar Peixoto, who has previously led teams like Gil Vicente and Chaves.
They have bolstered their squad by acquiring Kieran Trippier and Rafiki Said. They will be one of the strongest contenders to secure direct promotion to the English top flight, and Wolves fans are expected to fill Molineux in large numbers to cheer for their team.
It has been more than a decade since Blackburn last played Premier League football back in the 2011-12 season. Last season was tough, and they were lucky enough to avoid being relegated further to the third division after finishing just two spots above relegation-prone Oxford United.
Tony Mowbray has taken over the reins of Blackburn, having previously managed teams like Sunderland and Coventry and returning to Blackburn for his second innings. They won a few games in the pre-season, getting the better of Strasbourg and Burton in the EFL Cup.
Kick-off:
- Location: Wolverhampton, England
- Stadium: Molineux Stadium
- Kick-off time: 12:30 a.m. IST
- Date: Saturday, 15 August
- Referee: TBD
- VAR: Not in use
Form:
Wolves (in all competitions): W-W-W-L-W
Blackburn (in all competitions): W-D-W-L-D
Players to Watch
Kieran Trippier (Wolves)
The veteran English fullback from Bury has plied his trade with Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham before making a move to Wolves, hoping to promote them back to the English top flight.
He has previously won the Carabao Cup with the Magpies and La Liga with Atletico. His presence on the flanks is set to bolster Wolves’ defence. A decorated, world-class specialist, Kieran Trippier is set to be a key player for Cesar Peixoto and will be a delight to watch at Molineux.
Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn)
The 24-year-old London-born Nigerian fullback was one of the best players for Blackburn last season. After donning the jerseys of Kilmarnock and St. Mirren, he made a move to Blackburn in 2025.
An explosive, tall and highly athletic modern right-back, the former Crewe full-back will be tasked with the responsibility of keeping Mateus Mane quiet from the flanks. His overlapping and accelerated runs from the right flank will be crucial to set up Morishita upfront.
Match Facts
- This will be the first meeting between these two sides in the Championship after 9 years
- Wolves won 2-0 when these two sides last met in the FA Cup in 2025
- Ernie Thompson of Blackburn is the leading goalscorer in this fixture.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Blackburn Rovers: Betting Tips and Odds
- Wolves to win the game – 1/2 with bet365
- Adam Armstrong to score – 6/5 with bet365
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Blackburn Rovers – 13/2 with bet365
Injury and Team News
For Wolves, Rafiki Said is set to miss the next game due to injury concerns. Raul Jimenez is expected to start from the bench as he is not fully fit.
For Blackburn, there are no injury concerns. Jayden Fevrier and Andri Gudjohnsen are expected to make a comeback into the starting lineup.
Head-to-Head
Total games: 93
Wolves won: 38
Blackburn won: 34
Draws: 21
Predicted Lineups
Wolves predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
Daniel Bentley (GK); Kieran Trippier, Yerson Mosquera, Toti Gomes, Hugo Bueno; André, Marshall Munetsi; Rodrigo Gomes, Fer López, Mateus Mané; Adam Armstrong.
Blackburn predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
Balázs Tóth (GK); Ryan Alebiosu, Tom Atcheson, Sean McLoughlin, Harry Pickering; Adam Forshaw, Sidnei Tavares; Ryoya Morishita, Todd Cantwell, Jaden Fevrier; Andri Guðjohnsen.
Match Prediction
Wolves seem to have an upper hand in this fixture. Despite Jimenez not starting, they have a pretty decent side to make an impact. We expect Adam Armstrong to score the first goal for Wolves.
Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Blackburn Rovers
Telecast Details
- USA: Paramount+
- UK: Sky Sports
- India: Fancode
- Nigeria: TBD
When and where is the Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Blackburn Rovers Championship match?
The match will be played at the Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, UK, on Saturday, 15 August, at 12:30 a.m. IST.
Where and how to watch the Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Blackburn Rovers Championship match?
The match can be streamed on Fancode in India.
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In addition to writing articles on World and Indian Football, Saikat has also covered tournaments like the Durand Cup, Indian Super League, and Hockey India League. Notably, his exceptional communication skills have seen him interview legendary icons like Olympic 2024 gold medalist Yibbi Jansen, former Real Madrid player Javi Hernandez, and many more such sporting stalwarts.