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Blackburn Rovers kicked off their return to the Championship with a 2-2 draw away to Ipswich Town in week 1. As Rovers supporters know, the Championship isn’t a sprint. Rather, it is a marathon in which teams jockey for position in hopes of gaining automatic promotion to the lucrative jet set life of the Premier League.
Ipswich were able to snatch a late equalizer against Rovers to start the season. It was a frustrating end as Tony Mowbray’s team played well but couldn’t hold on late in the match. Now, with fixtures coming fast and furious for the next 10 months, what can Blackburn fans expect from the EFL Championship season?
Venky’s eight-year anniversary
In November, Blackburn controversial owners Venky’s will celebrate its eighth year in charge of the club. It has been far from smooth sailing since the company took over the club in November 2010. In the last eight seasons, Blackburn have been relegated from the Premier League and Championship while going through seven managers. The biggest highlight under Venky’s reign was the club’s promotion from League One last term. Rovers executives hope the club can use last season’s promotion as a springboard to more exciting things. However, supporters will be happy with some stability in the Championship. That might be a good odd if you decide to bet on Matchbook for example.
Armstrong on permanent deal
One of the best pieces of business Blackburn have completed this offseason was the permanent signing of forward Adam Armstrong. An England under-21 international, Armstrong arrived from Newcastle United on a four-year contract for £1.71 million. Last season, while on loan with Rovers in League One, Armstrong scored nine goals in 21 games. He also tallied two assists. Mowbray will hope the 21-year-old can make the step up to the Championship.
Teams to beat
If Blackburn want to earn Premier League promotion, they will need to beat some experienced Championship sides. Middlesbrough and Aston Villa are two of the top clubs currently in the second division. Both made the promotion playoffs in 2017-18 and they want to return to the Premier League at all costs this term. Middlesbrough are second favourites according to leading sportsbooks to win the Championship. Meanwhile, Aston Villa are fifth favourites. Stoke City have the best odds at winning promotion and they will be difficult to beat. Meanwhile, Leeds United and new manager Marcelo Bielsa could be the most entertaining club on and off the pitch.
Tony Mowbray: Key to success
While the players often get all the glory and the manager all the supporters’ scorn, it cannot be denied that Mowbray has been the key to Blackburn’s recent good fortune. Mowbray was hired midway through Rovers’ disastrous 2016-17 season and nearly led them to survival as the club’s eighth manager since Venky’s took over. He couldn‘t make up for the problems that occurred before him, however, Mowbray got the best out of the side a season ago as Blackburn earned promotion at the first time of asking. Mowbray has recorded a 52.1 percent win rate as Blackburn manager. It is his career best win rate and even tops the 51.1 percent he recorded as boss of Celtic. The Englishman has a wealth of experience in the lower tiers of football and could be exactly what Blackburn need to solidify their place in the Championship, far away from the best teams in Europe predictions for next season.
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