8th Aug 2014 | Championship
Championship Promotion Tip: Blackburn Rovers
They finished two points outside the play-off spots last term, but finished with a 12-match unbeaten run.
Having been relegated from the top flight in 2012, Blackburn finally look ready to push hard for a return having entered a period of rare stability.
Gary Bowyer has now been manager at the Lancashire club since March 2013 which in the overall context of the Venky’s time in charge is a major achievement in itself! But the 43-year-old has earned a further crack of the whip after a fine second half of last season at Ewood Park.
Had the campaign begun on January 1st, Rovers would have finished 5th and entered the play-offs. Even more heartening than that, nobody picked up more points in the final seven games of the season (17) and they ended unbeaten in their final 12 outings. Best odds of 13/2 (Skybet) to be promoted in one way or another therefore look generous.
The key reasons for optimism lie up front. Star player Jordan Rhodes has signed a new contract after following 26 league goals in 2012-13 with another 25 last term. The Scottish international has formed a deadly partnership with Rudy Gestede who signed permanently in January before claiming 12 in 21 appearances himself.
With so much firepower and Premier League experience instilled in the likes of Paul Robinson and David Dunn, Blackburn should be be challenging hard for the top six again at the very least.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 07:17 8th Aug, 2014 but subject to change
