Part two of a series set to preview Wanderers' opponents throughout the course of the coming campaign
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Home ground: Ewood Park
Capacity: 31,367
Manager: Gary Bowyer
2014/15 league position: 9th
2014/15 top goalscorer: Rudy Gestede (22 in all competitions)
Blackburn Rovers will be hoping a more consistent campaign in their fourth season out of the top flight can see them mount a push for a top six finish in 2015/16.
With proven goalscorers in Jordan Rhodes, who has netted 20-plus in his last six seasons, and Rudy Gestede on the books many will fancy their chances.
Gary Bowyer’s side did come close to snatching a play-off place last time round, though a distinct periods of mixed results in and around the New Year meant they were always playing catch up.
An FFP transfer embargo could well limit Blackburn’s activity in the transfer market, though the club have freed wages by releasing a raft of out-of-contract players, most notably cult hero David Dunn and goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Josh King will depart for Premier League-bound Bournemouth when his deal expires at the end of the month.
Indeed, their hopes for the upcoming season could well hinge on any potential movements involving Rhodes and Gestede – the two of them scored a combined total of 43 of Rovers’ 74 in all competitions last season.
FIXTURES V BOLTON IN 2015/16
Saturday 29 August 2015 – 3pm kick-off at Ewood Park
Monday 28 December 2015 – 3pm kick-off at Macron Stadium
RESULTS V BOLTON IN 2014/15
Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Blackburn Rovers – 26/12/2014
Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Bolton Wanderers – 11/3/2015