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Wolves logo
Championship
Aug 30, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Blackburn logo

3-1

Dicko (12'), Sako (33', 68')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Rhodes (59' pen.)

Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Blackburn Rovers

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between in-form Wolves and Blackburn at Molineux.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are finding life back in the second tier of English football rather easy having made a fine start to the new Championship season.

The 2013-14 League One champions have amassed nine points from their opening four matches, and in truth they should have maximum points having somehow been beaten by Rotherham United a fortnight ago.

Such a positive start to the campaign sets them up nicely for Saturday's clash with Blackburn Rovers at Molineux - the first time this season that Wolves will have played a team that were in the Championship last term.

Indeed, Kenny Jackett may have been cursing the fixture computer after it drew them against the three relegated sides inside the first four matches, but Wolves have completed an early treble over the teams that were two divisions above them last season.

Not only that, but they have kept clean sheets in all three matches too, winning each by a solitary goal.

However, there may be some concern over Wolves' mindset going into matches against teams that they are expected to beat, having lost to both Northampton Town and Rotherham already this season.

The club have brought in youngster George Saville from Chelsea this week, while also finally parting company with Jamie O'Hara.

Savile could well feature this weekend, although it is unlikely to be from the start as Jackett is able to name an unchanged lineup to the one that beat Cardiff City last weekend.

Blackburn have made a mixed start to the season themselves, and Gary Bowyer will be keen to stamp out the sort of inconsistency that prevented them really pushing for the playoffs last season.

On the whole, he will be pleased with what he has seen from his side so far, however, with a draw against Cardiff being followed by victories over Blackpool and Bournemouth.

Unlike Wolves, Rovers have had a tough time of things against the recently-relegated teams, with their only league defeat of the season coming at the hands of Norwich City last Tuesday.

Matters off the field could be as important as those on it for Blackburn over the coming days as they look to hold on to Jordan Rhodes, who netted his 54th goal in his 100th appearance for the club in last weekend's win over Bournemouth.

Hull City's interest in the striker appears to have tailed off, and it is understood that the Scot would need to try to force a move through himself if he is to leave the club this summer.

Should he remain then the partnership with Rudy Gestede, who has scored three goals in four games this season, could well be good enough to fire Rovers to a top-six finish.

That duo are once again expected to start up front this weekend, while Matt Kilgallon is in contention to feature and Paul Robinson will make his 200th appearance for the club.

Recent form

Wolves: WLLWW

Blackburn: DLWLW

Possible starting lineups

Wolves: Ikeme; Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne; McDonald, Evans, Van La Parra, Edwards, Sako; Dicko

Blackburn: Robinson; Lowe, Hanley, Baptiste, Olsson; Marshall, Cairney, Evans, Conway; Gestede, Rhodes

Sports Mole says: 2-2


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Jordan Rhodes of Blackburn Rovers celebrates his goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Burnley at Ewood Park on March 9, 2014
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