Fixture release day is less than a week away as Valerien Ismael prepares for his first full season at Ewood Park. We take a closer look at Rovers' last 10 results on the opening day of the Championship campaign.
Rovers 4-2 Derby
Rovers were looking to start last season on a positive note after avoiding relegation on the final day with a memorable result at Leicester.
There were plenty of positives to take from the display against Derby at Ewood Park, hitting four past the Rams.
Andi Weimann and Yuki Ohashi both marked their debuts with goals, while Tyrhys Dolan and Sam Szmodics also got on the scoresheet.
Rovers 2-1 West Brom
There was a different feel going into 2023/24 after missing out on the play-offs by the slimmest of margins despite a thrilling win at Millwall.
It proved to be a difficult campaign at Ewood Park but there was victory to celebrate against West Brom on the opening day.
Harry Leonard and Dilan Markanday both netted on their first league starts and Rovers held on to take all three points after Matt Phillips pulled one back.
Rovers 1-0 QPR
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s tenure got off to a winning start as Lewis Travis scored the only goal against QPR.
Ben Brereton Diaz also had a late goal chalked off for an offside but Rovers held on to get over the line.
Rovers 2-1 Swansea
The first of four successive home victories on the opening day, Sam Gallagher and Brereton Diaz both struck against Swansea.
The former opened the scoring with a rebound and the latter slotted home from the penalty spot after Dolan had been tripped in the box.
The visitors pulled one back through Jamie Paterson but couldn’t find an equaliser during the final stages.
Bournemouth 3-2 Rovers
Rovers’ last away game – and last defeat – on the opening day following a five-goal thriller on the South Coast.
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The match wasn’t played until mid-September, with the previous campaign finishing in July due to the pandemic.
Bradley Johnson and Adam Armstrong’s goals proved in vain after Arnaut Danjuma’s winner six minutes from time.
Rovers 1-2 Charlton
Rovers also tasted defeat on the opening day of the 2019/20 campaign, losing out against Charlton at Ewood Park.
The visitors went in front through Ben Purrington’s close-range finish but Johnson’s header forced an own goal from Dillon Phillips after the break.
Lyle Taylor scored the winner 13 minutes from time, providing an improvised finish after meeting Jason Pearce’s header.
Ipswich 2-2 Rovers
The last draw on the opening game came at Portman Road following an even encounter against the Tractor Boys.
The hosts took an early lead through Gwion Edwards but Rovers turned things around through Danny Graham and Bradley Dack.
Southend 2-1 Rovers
Tony Mowbray’s side kicked off the League One season with a narrow defeat against Southend at Roots Hall.
Charlie Mulgrew pulled one back after Ryan Leonard and Michael Kightly had put the hosts in a strong position.
It wasn’t a sign of things to come as Rovers finished second in the table to secure an immediate return to the second tier.
Rovers 1-4 Norwich
Owen Coyle’s stint in the dugout got off to a tough start with a heavy defeat against Norwich at Ewood Park.
The Canaries raced to a 3-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes after goals from Jacob Murphy, Wes Hoolahan and Cameron Jerome.
Steven Naismith added a fourth after the break before substitute Anthony Stokes netted a consolation.
Rovers 1-2 Wolves
The 2015/26 campaign began in controversial fashion following defeat against Wolves at Ewood Park.
Benik Afobe put the Midlands club in front midway through the first half but Craig Conway got Rovers back on level terms.
Dave Edwards got the winner on the stroke of half time. Edwards appeared to use his hand to divert Nouha Dicko’s cross into the net but the officials allowed it to stand.
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